Wicked Words
Lady Macbeth gives this advice to her husband to ensure he appears harmless while plotting murder.
What is "Be like the innocent flower."
This one-time besty serves as Macbeth's foil because he remains morally grounded despite the prophecies.
Who is Banquo?
While contemplating the murder of King Duncan, Macbeth sees this floating, bloody object leading him toward the deed.
What is a dagger
This recurring symbol represents the permanent, un-washable stain of guilt on the Macbeths' souls.
What is blood?
Macbeth begins the play with this attribute, as a celebrated warrior and a "worthy gentleman."
What is Nobility (or High Status)?
Donalbain uses this metaphor to refer to the danger that often hides behind a friendly face.
What is "There's daggers in men's smiles"?
They are essentially the original "trolls" of literature.
Who are the witches?
Despite being embodiments of evil themselves, the witches use this ironic phrase to describe Macbeth as he approaches them for advice in Act 4.
What is "Something wicked this way comes"?
This act is considered "unnatural" because it violates the "Divine Right of Kings" and disrupts God’s natural order.
What is the murder of King Duncan?
This term refers to the hero's "fatal flaw"—in Macbeth's case, his "vaulting ambition."
What is hamartia?
Macbeth refers to this predatory arachnid when trying to describe his anxiety and dark thoughts.
What is a scorpion?
The murder of Banquo and Lady Macduff reveal a certain lens through which Macbeth views his situation.
What is paranoia? What is paranoid?
This specific prophecy gives Macbeth a false sense of invincibility because he believes it is physically impossible.
What is "none of woman born shall harm Macbeth"?
Under Macbeth's unchecked ambition, the state of Scotland is described as falling into these three negative states.
What are fear, chaos, and tyranny?
This is the Greek term for the "reversal of fortune," such as when Macbeth's luck turns into paranoia and insecurity.
What is Peripeteia?
Lady Macbeth refers to this emotion when she cries, "Out, damned spot! Out, I say!"
What is guilt?
Toward the end of the play, it is noted that Macbeth's soldiers obey him out of this, rather than love or devotion.
What is duty?
Shakespeare uses this literary device when Macbeth says, "If Chance will have me king, why, Chance may crown me."
What is personification?
Lady Macbeth ironically claims that this "clears us of this deed," even though her later sleepwalking proves it didn't.
What is "a little water"?
Macbeth reaches this stage when he realizes the witches deceived him and that his life has become a "tale told by an idiot."
What is anagnorisis (recognition)?
In his final despair, Macbeth describes life as a "walking shadow" and a tale told by this type of person.
What is an idiot?
This character uses a unique verb to mean she wants to be more like a man filled with "direst cruelty."
Who is Lady Macbeth?
Immediately after the murder, a guilt-ridden Macbeth wishes he could do this to the sleeping King with the sound of the knocking at the gate.
What is "Wake Duncan"?
According to Act 5, these types of "deeds" are said to "breed unnatural troubles.
What are "unnatural deeds"?
This is the emotional release felt by the audience when they see "the usurper’s cursed head" and order is restored.
What is catharsis?