Shakespeare Drama TermsShakespeare Drama Terms SYMBOLISMSYMBOLISM: a familiar object that represents something unfamiliar: a familiar object that represents something unfamiliar ANTAGONISTANTAGONIST: person/force that opposes the main character: person/force that opposes the main character PROTAGONISTPROTAGONIST: the main character who the action of a story is : the main character who the action of a story is

centeredcentered IRONYIRONY: combination of circumstances or a result that is the opposite : combination of circumstances or a result that is the opposite

of what is or might be expected or considered appropriateof what is or might be expected or considered appropriate FORESHADOWINGFORESHADOWING: indication of something that’s going to happen: indication of something that’s going to happen SOLILOQUYSOLILOQUY: lines in a drama where a character reveals his/her : lines in a drama where a character reveals his/her

innermost thoughts to the audience, but not the other actorsinnermost thoughts to the audience, but not the other actors ASIDEASIDE: words spoken by an actor intended to be heard by the : words spoken by an actor intended to be heard by the

audience, but not the other actors on stageaudience, but not the other actors on stage TRAGEDYTRAGEDY: play, novel, etc. in which the main character(s) die: play, novel, etc. in which the main character(s) die TRAGIC HEROTRAGIC HERO: the protagonist of a tragedy: the protagonist of a tragedy COMIC RELIEFCOMIC RELIEF: the error in judgment/character that leads the hero : the error in judgment/character that leads the hero

to destructionto destruction METAPHORMETAPHOR: figure of speech that directly compares two things: figure of speech that directly compares two things

IntroductiIntroduction to on to

MacbethMacbeth

““Oh yes, Oh yes, there will there will

be be blood!”blood!”

Origin of the play…Origin of the play…

Written as a compliment Written as a compliment to King Jamesto King James

Refers to James’ Refers to James’ ancestry (he’s a ancestry (he’s a descendant of Banquo)descendant of Banquo)

Direct reference to the Direct reference to the Gunpowder PlotGunpowder Plot

Explains that disorder Explains that disorder and disunity (especially and disunity (especially in the church) brings in the church) brings destructiondestruction

Themes in Themes in Macbeth: #1Macbeth: #1

The Corrupting Power of The Corrupting Power of Unchecked AmbitionUnchecked Ambition – ambition – ambition drives the couple to terrible acts drives the couple to terrible acts in the play. The problem is that in the play. The problem is that once a person uses violence to once a person uses violence to acquire power it’s difficult to stop. acquire power it’s difficult to stop. In order to gain more power or to In order to gain more power or to stop others from attaining power, stop others from attaining power, it becomes tempting to use it becomes tempting to use violence again.violence again.

Themes in Themes in Macbeth: #2Macbeth: #2

The Relationship The Relationship between Cruelty between Cruelty and Masculinityand Masculinity – in – in the play violence the play violence and power are and power are associated with associated with masculinity. In masculinity. In order to prove one’s order to prove one’s manhood they have manhood they have to #1, commit to #1, commit violent (usually violent (usually murderous) acts murderous) acts and #2 they must and #2 they must acquire poweracquire power

Themes in Themes in Macbeth: #3Macbeth: #3

The Difference The Difference between Kingship and between Kingship and TyrannyTyranny – the first, – the first, embodied by Duncan, embodied by Duncan, offers his kingdom offers his kingdom order, justice, order, justice, comfort, affection and comfort, affection and most importantly most importantly loyalty to Scotland; loyalty to Scotland; the second, embodied the second, embodied by Macbeth, by Macbeth, instigates chaos, instigates chaos, destruction, violence destruction, violence and holding their own and holding their own interests over that of interests over that of their countrytheir country

Motifs in MacbethMotifs in Macbeth HallucinationsHallucinations – recur throughout the play and – recur throughout the play and

serve as reminders of the people that serve as reminders of the people that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth kill. Essentially, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth kill. Essentially, visions symbolize their feelings of guiltvisions symbolize their feelings of guilt

ViolenceViolence – between the description of the – between the description of the bloody wars, fights and murders, violence bloody wars, fights and murders, violence plays a major role in the playplays a major role in the play

ProphecyProphecy – these play major roles in – these play major roles in instigating the action in the play; the instigating the action in the play; the prophecies are what set Macbeth’s plans into prophecies are what set Macbeth’s plans into motionmotion

Symbols in Symbols in MacbethMacbeth

BloodBlood – is everywhere in the play, it symbolizes – is everywhere in the play, it symbolizes the guilt that “sits like a permanent stain on the guilt that “sits like a permanent stain on the consciences of both Macbeth and Lady the consciences of both Macbeth and Lady MacbethMacbeth

Sleep/SleeplessnessSleep/Sleeplessness – another symbol of guilt. – another symbol of guilt. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth suffer from Macbeth and Lady Macbeth suffer from nightmares and insomnia due to the guilt on nightmares and insomnia due to the guilt on their consciences.their consciences.

The WeatherThe Weather – the storms, thunder, lightening – the storms, thunder, lightening and unnatural occurrences in the weather and unnatural occurrences in the weather “reflect corruption in the moral and political “reflect corruption in the moral and political orders”orders”

Main Characters - Main Characters - MacbethMacbeth

The title character, he is a The title character, he is a brave and capable warrior brave and capable warrior whose ambition and self-whose ambition and self-doubt are his tragic flaws. doubt are his tragic flaws. His three main His three main characteristics are bravery, characteristics are bravery, ambition and self-doubt. ambition and self-doubt. Shakespeare uses him to Shakespeare uses him to show the terrible effects of show the terrible effects of ambition and guilt on a man ambition and guilt on a man who lacks strength of who lacks strength of character.character.

Main Characters – Main Characters – Lady Lady MacbethMacbeth

One of Shakespeare’s most famous and villainous One of Shakespeare’s most famous and villainous characters; she is stronger, more ambitious and characters; she is stronger, more ambitious and more ruthless than Macbeth. Social restraints are more ruthless than Macbeth. Social restraints are the only thing holding her back. Her character the only thing holding her back. Her character implies that women can be as power-hungry and implies that women can be as power-hungry and violent as men, but their place in society often violent as men, but their place in society often denies them from acting.denies them from acting.

The Three WitchesThe Three Witches Referred to as “the weird Referred to as “the weird

sisters” they purport the sisters” they purport the action of the play. They action of the play. They have beards, speak in have beards, speak in rhyme and concoct rhyme and concoct bizarre potions—they are bizarre potions—they are clearly supernatural clearly supernatural creatures. The audience creatures. The audience is left to decide, however, is left to decide, however, whether the Witches are whether the Witches are “independent agents “independent agents toying with human lives” toying with human lives” or “agents of fate whose or “agents of fate whose prophecies are reports of prophecies are reports of the inevitable” the inevitable”

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