Shakespeare Macbeth

Literary Terms Equivocation – an expression or statement that is vague and deliberately misleading Antithesis – the use of words or phrases that contrast with each other to create a balanced effect Paradox – a statement, proposition, or situation that seems to be absurd or contradictory, but in fact is or may be true Soliloquy – the act of speaking alone, often used as a theatrical device that allows a character’s thoughts and ideas to be conveyed to the audience Incantation – ritual chanting or use of “magic words” Allusion – a suggested link in the text to something outside of the text, usually a historical person, historical event, or literary figure Tragic Flaw – a character flaw that causes the downfall of the protagonist in a tragedy Aside – a remark made by an actor, usually to the audience, that the other characters on stage supposedly cannot hear Comic Relief - a comic scene or passage inserted into a serious work, used to provide relief from tension, or the further heightening of tension

Tragedy - a serious play with a tragic theme, often involves a heroic struggle and the downfall of a major character Bank Verse – unrhymed poetry that has a regular rhythm and line length (especially iambic pentameter) Iambic Pentameter – the most common rhythm in English poetry, has five iambs (one unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable) in each line (ten syllables following the da DUM pattern) Monologue – a long speech spoken by a character in the presence of others Dramatic Irony – a situation, or the irony arising out of a situation, in which the audience has a fuller knowledge of what is happening than the character does Verbal Irony – a figure of speech in which what is said is the opposite of what is expected

Imagery – figurative language used in poetry, plays and other literary works (examples are similes, metaphors, hyperbole, personification, irony, understatement) Metaphor – a comparison without the words like or as Simile – a comparison using the words like or as Symbolism – a person, place, or thing that represents something else Foreshadowing – to suggest that something, often something unpleasant, is going to happen Irony - the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning. "What a wonderful weekend! I worked all day Saturday and Sunday." Hyperbole - obvious and intentional exaggeration: “I'd give my whole paycheck for a glass of water.” Personification – assigning human characteristics to things, animals, or ideas for artistic effect Understatement - set forth in restrained, moderate, or weak terms