Act I
Macbeth is written in this form and is classified in a specific way.
What is blank verse and classified as a tragedy?
In a conversation with Fleance, Banquo says “And she goes down at twelve” (Shakespeare, Macbeth 2.1.3), who or what is “she” referring to?
What is the sun?
There is an allusion to him in Scene I, he was a leader in Ancient Rome.
Who is Mark Antony?
A literary device in which the last word of each word rhymes. Example. “... got,/…. pot” (Shakespeare, Macbeth 4.1.8-9).
What is end rhyme?
Lady Macbeth's hallucination and need to clean her hands is because of this.
What is putting Duncan's blood on her hands to then put on the guards to set them up for the murder of King Duncan?
Lady Macbeth is hallucinating to when she had blood on her hands after she framed the guards for killing King Duncan.
Literary devices used in these two lines: “Fair is foul, and foul is fair./ Hover through the fog and filthy air” (Shakespeare, Macbeth 1.1.11-12).
What are end rhymes and paradoxes?
Fair is foul and foul is fair is a paradox as it is contradictory, but makes sense as what is foul for one may be seen as fair to another and vice versa. Fair and air are end rhymes as they are the last word of the line and rhyme.
These symbols are in words so that a line is read a certain way.
What are apostrophes?
This symbolizes death in the play.
What is rain?
The literary device in bold throughout Macbeth's lines:” Though bladed corn be lodged and trees blown down,/ Though castles topple on their warders heads,/ Though palaces and pyramids do slope” (Shakespeare, Macbeth 4.1.56-58).
What is anaphora?
"All the/ perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand" (Shakespeare, Macbeth 5.1.45-46) is an example of this literary device.
What is hyperbole?
Lady Macbeth overexaggerates that the stench on her hands is so bad that all of the perfumes in Arabia would still not get rid of the stench.
A statement that contradicts itself, but when explained makes sense.
What is a paradox?
Act 2 scene 3 is an example of this literary device. This scene is when Porter has a soliloquy.
What is comic relief?
The scene that Porter is in, is an example of comic relief. The scenes before were full of gore and seriousness as Duncan is murdered and Macbeth falls into a state of depression. Without a break from the seriousness, the audience would be overwhelmed by tragedy.
Another word for fruitless as used in this sentence: “Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown” (Shakespeare, Macbeth 3.1.65).
What is childless?
“No boasting like a fool;/ This deed I’ll do before this purpose cool” (Shakespeare, Macbeth 4.2.169-170).
What is a lesson learned by Macbeth to immediately act in his thoughts so that he does not miss his chance to do so in the future?
"Now near enough; your leafy screens throw down" (Shakespeare, Macbeth 5.6.1). "Leafy screens" are a metaphor for this.
What are the trees that the men lead by Macduff, Malcolm, Siward, and others carry with them when approaching Dunsinane?
A literary device that is consistent throughout the play.
What is an extended metaphor?
At the beginning of the play, the witches taunt Macbeth and Lady Macbeth with the idea/prophecy that he will be king. This is similar to how in the Garden of Eden the snake taunted Adam and Eve with the fruit from the forbidden tree.
Tarquin is a Roman Prince who raped Lucrece. He is mentioned by Macbeth in Scene 1 of Act 1. This literary device is when a person or thing from one piece of literature is mentioned in another.
What is an allusion, when one piece of literature is mentioned in another?
Defined as a power or force that predetermines that future course of events.
What is fate?
This is something that Ross says to Macduff, what literary device is used: “Let your ears not despise my tongue for ever,” (Shakespeare, Macbeth 4.3.231).
What is the personification of the ears and tongue?
What is being trapped and not being able to escape from Dunsinane?
Lady Macbeth advises Macbeth to act in these ways to go undetected of his sins.
What is appear to be innocent and kind, but to be sneaky like a snake underneath?
Lady Macbeth says to Macbeth “Your hand, your tongue; look like the innocent flower,/ But be the serpent under’t. He that’s coming” (Shakespeare, Macbeth 1.4.70-71).
When Duncan's body is found the morning after his murder, Lady Macbeth puts on a show and acts like she did not know what had happened. A literary device is used in the scene.
What is dramatic irony?
Lady Macbeth asks what had happened and Macduff tells her that such a horrible thing should not be heard by a gentle lady. This is ironic because Lady Macbeth is referred to as gentle, but she is the one who planned the murder.
Type of literary device that Macbeth uses to explain to the three murderers that there are many types of man as there are types of dogs.
What is a metaphor?
These are some examples of a struggle between two forces.
What are good vs. evil, morals vs. lustfulness, loyalty vs. treason, and Macbeth vs. Macbeth?
Earlier in the play, Macbeth questions the manliness of the murderers and compares them to dogs. Macduff calls Macbeth a hell hound. This is an example of which literary device.
What is a full-circle moment?