Objective: Students will review important literary devices present in Macbeth for the upcoming test.

Reference to a person, place, event, etc., which is not part of the story Expects the reader to recognize it Example: The farmer and the equivocator (2.3) Members of the gunpowder plot Example: “A little water clears us of this deed: How easy is it, then!” (2.2.86) Allusion to Pilate in the Bible

Insertion of humor following a scene of tragedy or excitement

A character whose qualities or actions emphasize the qualities or actions of the main character Provides a strong contrast

Use of hints or clues Suggests what action is to come Creates interest Builds suspense Example: Weather at the opening of the play Example: The prophecies of the witches and apparitions

Dramatic Irony Audience or reader knows more about a character’s situation than the character does/Character’s understanding is flawed Structural Irony Use of a naïve hero, whose incorrect perceptions differ from reader’s correct ones Verbal Irony Discrepancy between what is said and what is meant; sarcasm Example: “This castle hath a pleasant seat; the air nimbly and sweetly recommends itself unto our gentle senses”-King Duncan (1.6.1).

Comparison of two unalike things Does NOT use “like” or “as” Example: “There the grown serpent lies; the worm that's fled”-Macbeth (3.4.32). =

Situation, idea, or image that is repeated over and over again Significance in stories or plays Example: Hallucinations/Visions Macbeth and Lady Macbeth Example: Violence and murder Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Macduff Example: Prophecies Witches

Giving a personal nature or human characteristics to something nonhuman Representation of an abstract quality with human traits Example: “Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires”-Macbeth (1.4.57).

Comparison between two different things Comparison uses “like” or “as” Example: "This is the sergeant who like a good and hardy soldier fought ‘gainst my captivity”-Malcolm (1.2.5). Example: “Doubtful it stood; As two spent swimmers, that do cling together and choke their art”-Captain (1.2.8).

Object, person, or place that has a meaning in itself Stands for something bigger than itself Usually an idea or concept Something concrete that stands for the abstract