Shakespeare Drama Terms SYMBOLISM: a familiar object that represents something unfamiliar SYMBOLISM: a familiar object that represents something unfamiliar ANTAGONIST: person/force that opposes the main character ANTAGONIST: person/force that opposes the main character PROTAGONIST: the main character who the action of a story is centered PROTAGONIST: the main character who the action of a story is centered IRONY: combination of circumstances or a result that is the opposite of what is or might be expected or considered appropriate IRONY: combination of circumstances or a result that is the opposite of what is or might be expected or considered appropriate FORESHADOWING: indication of something that’s going to happen FORESHADOWING: indication of something that’s going to happen SOLILOQUY: lines in a drama where a character reveals his/her innermost thoughts to the audience, but not the other actors SOLILOQUY: lines in a drama where a character reveals his/her innermost thoughts to the audience, but not the other actors ASIDE: words spoken by an actor intended to be heard by the audience, but not the other actors on stage ASIDE: words spoken by an actor intended to be heard by the audience, but not the other actors on stage TRAGEDY: play, novel, etc. in which the main character(s) die TRAGEDY: play, novel, etc. in which the main character(s) die TRAGIC HERO: the protagonist of a tragedy TRAGIC HERO: the protagonist of a tragedy TRAGIC FLAW: the error in judgment/character that leads the hero to destruction TRAGIC FLAW: the error in judgment/character that leads the hero to destruction COMIC RELIEF: character or scene that uses humor to break up the mood in a tragedy COMIC RELIEF: character or scene that uses humor to break up the mood in a tragedy METAPHOR: figure of speech that directly compares two things METAPHOR: figure of speech that directly compares two things

Introduction to Macbeth “Oh yes, there will be blood!”

Origin of the play… Origin of the play… Written as a compliment to King James Written as a compliment to King James Refers to James’ ancestry (he’s a descendant of Banquo) Refers to James’ ancestry (he’s a descendant of Banquo) Direct reference to the Gunpowder Plot Direct reference to the Gunpowder Plot Explains that disorder and disunity (especially in the church) brings destruction Explains that disorder and disunity (especially in the church) brings destruction

Themes in Macbeth: #1 The Corrupting Power of Unchecked Ambition – Ambition drives the couple to terrible acts in the play. The problem is that once a person uses violence to acquire power it’s difficult to stop. In order to gain more power or to stop others from attaining power, it becomes tempting to use violence again. The Corrupting Power of Unchecked Ambition – Ambition drives the couple to terrible acts in the play. The problem is that once a person uses violence to acquire power it’s difficult to stop. In order to gain more power or to stop others from attaining power, it becomes tempting to use violence again.

Themes in Macbeth: #2 The Relationship between Cruelty and Masculinity – In the play violence and power are associated with masculinity. In order to prove one’s manhood they have to #1, commit violent (usually murderous) acts and #2 they must acquire power.

Motifs in Macbeth Hallucinations – These recur throughout the play and serve as reminders of the people that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth kill. Essentially, the “visions” symbolize their feelings of guilt. Hallucinations – These recur throughout the play and serve as reminders of the people that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth kill. Essentially, the “visions” symbolize their feelings of guilt. Violence – Between the description of the bloody wars, fights and murders, violence plays a major role in the play. Violence – Between the description of the bloody wars, fights and murders, violence plays a major role in the play. Prophecies – These play a major role in instigating the action in the play; the prophecies are what set Macbeth’s plans into motion. The unanswered question is: Are the prophecies inevitable? Or do the witches tell them to Macbeth to tempt him to act? Prophecies – These play a major role in instigating the action in the play; the prophecies are what set Macbeth’s plans into motion. The unanswered question is: Are the prophecies inevitable? Or do the witches tell them to Macbeth to tempt him to act?

Themes in Macbeth: #3 The Difference between Kingship and Tyranny – the first, embodied by Duncan, offers his kingdom order, justice, comfort, affection and most importantly loyalty to Scotland; the second, embodied by Macbeth, instigates chaos, destruction, violence and holding their own interests over that of their country.

Symbols in Macbeth Blood – is everywhere in the play, it symbolizes the guilt that “sits like a permanent stain on the consciences of both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth Sleep/Sleeplessness – another symbol of guilt. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth suffer from nightmares and insomnia due to the guilt on their consciences. The Weather – the storms, thunder, lightening and unnatural occurrences in the weather “reflect corruption in the moral and political orders” The Weather – the storms, thunder, lightening and unnatural occurrences in the weather “reflect corruption in the moral and political orders”

Main Characters - Macbeth The title character, he is a brave and capable warrior whose ambition and self- doubt are his tragic flaws. His three main characteristics are bravery, ambition and self-doubt. Shakespeare uses him to show the terrible effects of ambition and guilt on a man who lacks strength of character.

Main Characters – Lady Macbeth One of Shakespeare’s most famous and villainous characters; she is stronger, more ambitious and more ruthless than Macbeth. Social restraints are the only thing holding her back. Her character implies that women can be as power- hungry and violent as men, but their place in society often denies them from acting.

The Three Witches Referred to as “the weird sisters” they purport the action of the play. They have beards, speak in rhyme and concoct bizarre potions—they are clearly supernatural creatures. The audience is left to decide, however, whether the Witches are “independent agents toying with human lives” or “agents of fate whose prophecies are reports of the inevitable.” Referred to as “the weird sisters” they purport the action of the play. They have beards, speak in rhyme and concoct bizarre potions—they are clearly supernatural creatures. The audience is left to decide, however, whether the Witches are “independent agents toying with human lives” or “agents of fate whose prophecies are reports of the inevitable.”

Character Relationships Good Guys King Duncan: King of Scotland. He has two sons, Malcolm and Donalbain Banquo: Mac’s best friend, has a son named Fleance. Macduff, Lennox & Ross: All soldiers of Duncan; at one point Lennox serves under Macbeth. The other two remain loyal to Duncan. Siward: General of the English forces; Macbeth wants to destroy him Bad Guys Macbeth: Title character; wants total power in Scotland. Lady Macbeth: Her cruelty and desire for power make her a monster; she convinces Macbeth to kill Duncan. Macdonwald: Thane of Cawdor and leader of the Northern forces, he’s killed by Macbeth in the beginning of the play and his title is given to Mac. The Witches: Supernatural creatures that tell Macbeth “prophecies” regarding his future.

Act I Vocabulary - Pg Plight: predicament 2. Brandished: to wave in the air 3. Rapt: absorbed in thought 4. Corporal: bodily (of the body) 5. Surmised: imagine; guess 6. Peerless: unequaled 7. Chastise: punish 8. Impedes: prevents 9. Chalice: cup 10. Recompense: reimbursement

1. What are the witches discussing? 2. Who has Macbeth killed? What has he done to this man? 3. What title is Macbeth going to be given? 4. What’s the weather like at this point? What’s this tell us? 5. Where has the first witch been? What did she do to the sailor and why? What’s this tell us about the witches? 6. How do the witches greet Mac? What is the second thing they call him? What’s ironic about this? 7. What is the other title they give Mac? 8. What do the witches tell Banquo regarding his future? 9. What does Banquo mean in Act III Line ? 10. What does Banquo notice about Mac at this point? What does he know he’s considering? 11. What does Malcolm tell Duncan about the Thane of Cawdor? Why was he being executed? What’s this tell us about Duncan’s personality?

12. What does the King tell everyone about Malcolm’s future? 13. What is Lady Mac saying about Mac in Act I Line 13-29? 14. What is Lady Mac saying asking the “spirits” for in Lines 38-52? Why is she asking for this? What will ridding her of her femininity enable her to do? 15. What is Lady Mac telling Mac he must do when the King is at the castle? What do you think she’s planning? 16. In the beginning of Scene 7 Mac’s talking about the consequences of killing Duncan; what’s he worried about? 17. What does Mac tell Lady Mac he’s decided in lines 30-34? 18. How does Lady Mac react? How does he threaten him? 19. How does she talk him into reconsidering and going through with what she wants him to do? 20. What does Mac say he must do in lines 79-82?

Act II Vocabulary Augment: increase in size 2. Repose: rest 3. Prate: talk on and on 4. Palpable: touchable 5. Surfeit: excessive amount 6. Temperate: calm; even tempered 7. Unruly: wild; untamed 8. Entreat: plead for 9. Undivulged: unrevealed 10. Consort: associate; cohort

Act III Vocabulary Pgs Verity: truth 2. Dauntless: fearless: 3. Valor: bravery 4. Incensed: angered 5. Bounteous: generous amount 6. Sundry: varied 7. Jocund: merry 8. Blanched: turned white 9. Profound: very deep 10. Malevolence: ill feeling

1. III : What does Banquo reveal here? 2. What is Mac trying to find out in his conversation with Banquo on pg ? 3. What does Mac say about Malcom and Donalbain in lines ? 4. Why is what Mac says to Banquo in lines an example of situational irony? 5. What fear is Mac referring to in lines 47-72? Explain… 6. What ALLUSION is made in this passage? What’s it mean? 7. Explain the plan that Mac and the 3 murderers put together to kill Banquo? 8. What does Mac add to the plan in lines ? Why would he feel this is necessary? 9. What is Lady Mac saying to Mac in III.ii.8-12? How is he acting? 10. In Mac’s reply in lines 13-26, what’s he worried about? Which symbol is mentioned in this passage? What does this tell us about Mac?

11. What does Lady Mac advise Mac to do in lines 28-29? 12. What does the metaphor Mac uses in lines referring to? 13. When he was preparing to kill Duncan he was scared, after his death Mac was remorseful and felt guilty. Read lines 39-44, how has Mac’s feelings about murder changed? 14. In lines 45-46, what does Mac assume Lacy Mac will think about his plan to kill Banquo and Fleance? 15. What does Mac seem to be asking for in lines 53-56? *Who do you think has changed more? Mac or Lady Mac? Whose lust for power and control has gotten stronger? Why do you think this is?

Act IV Vocabulary - Pg Abjure: deny; renounce 2. Gibbet: gallows (device people were hanged from) 3. Pernicious: destructive 4. Sear: burn 5. Diminutive: tiny 6. Judicious: wise 7. Cistern: reservoir 8. Desolate: alone 9. Redress: make amends for 10. Discern: detect

Act V Vocabulary – Pg Perturbation: agitation 2. Murky: dark; gloomy 3. Recoil: pull back in a startled manner 4. Sere: withered 5. Upbraid: scold 6. Direness: evil 7. Tarry: linger 8. Clamorous: noisy 9. Abhor: loathe; hate 10. Prowess: courage

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