Literary Terms
A speech made by a character that is alone on the stage.
What is a soliloquy?
This quote is brought up at the very start of the play, and directly relates to arguably the most relevant theme of the play.
What is "Fair is foul, and foul is fair."
This plot point had been eluded to since soon after Macbeth met the witches, and this point was seen through later in the play when Duncan visits their castle.
What is the murder of King Duncan?
The main character of this Shakespearean tale, who is first depicted as a heroic figure that later gives into his dark ambitions.
Who is Macbeth?
A character that is a mix of good and evil, but causes his own downfall because of a character flaw.
What is a tragic hero?
This famous quote is said by Lady Macbeth when describing her husband, Macbeth, before he returns home.
What is "He is too full of the milk of human kindness."
After Lady Macbeth kept telling Macbeth to just get over the many atrocities he committed, she was the one who tripped over herself in guilt, which ultimately led to this point.
What is Lady Macbeth's suicide?
The gracious king of Scotland during the first portion of the story, who is betrayed again and again by the people he thought of as kinsmen.
Who is King Duncan?
A very long speech by one person without interruption from others on stage.
What is a monologue?
This quote is said by the three witches when their sense Macbeth approaching them in the fourth act of the play.
What is "By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes."
After some relaxing comic relief between Macduff's wife and son, they are quickly warned by a stranger before this point happens.
What is the murder of Macduff's wife and children?
One of the two brothers who flee after their father's untimely murder. This child is never mentioned again after this point.
Who is Donalbain?
The way an author lets his readers know what the characters are like, either through direct or indirect ways.
What is characterization?
This quote is uttered by Macbeth as him and Macduff face each other for the final time, right when they begin combat.
What is "Lay on, Macduff!"
After the death of King Duncan, this point is a decently short moment that acts at as a sort of comic relief after the intensity of the scene before it.
What is the porter's soliloquy?
A mysterious figure who is only mentioned in the falling action of the play. This character is known for their ability to cure sickness through touch, and for their gift of prophecy.
Who is King Edward?
An element which recurs frequently in a story.
What is a motif?
This quote was stated by Macbeth at the end of the play, when he is informed of the death of his wife, Lady Macbeth, before his monologue.
What is "She should have died hereafter; There would have been a time for such a word."
After this brief moment in Act 5, Macbeth believed that the witches were right when they stated that he could not be killed.
What is the death of Young Siward?
This child is known in the play for talking back to their mother, which makes for some good comic relief before an extremely dark moment.
Who is Macduff's son?