Macbeth Literary Terms

What is alliteration?

The repetition of initial consonant sounds in closely connected words, often to intensify tone or mood.

Give an example of alliteration in literature.

In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald describes 'the whisperings and the champagne and the stars'.

What is allusion?

A reference to a person, event, or work from history, literature, or mythology.

Provide an example of allusion from Macbeth.

Macbeth describes Duncan’s murdered body as looking 'like a Gorgon'.

Define analogy.

A comparison that shows how two different things are similar, often to clarify an idea or argument.

What is an example of analogy in Educated?

Tara Westover compares her father’s distrust of doctors to religious faith.

What is anaphora?

The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences.

Give an example of anaphora from Just Mercy.

Stevenson writes, 'Each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done.'

What does antecedent refer to?

The word, phrase, or clause to which a pronoun refers.

Provide an example of antecedent from The Metamorphosis.

Gregor is the antecedent of 'he,' as in 'he hoped someone would finally understand him.'

What is antithesis?

The juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in balanced or parallel phrasing.

Give an example of antithesis from Macbeth.

The witches’ chant, 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair,' illustrates contrasting ideas.

What is aphorism?

A concise, memorable statement expressing a general truth or observation.

Provide an example of aphorism from Macbeth.

Lady Macbeth says, 'The poor cat i’ th’ adage,' referring to a proverb about reluctance.

What is apostrophe in literature?

A direct address to someone absent, dead, or nonhuman as if capable of responding.

Provide an example of apostrophe from Macbeth.

Lady Macbeth calls upon spirits, saying, 'Come, you spirits / That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here.'

What is ellipsis?

The omission of words that are implied by context, creating concision or rhythm.

Give an example of ellipsis.

'Gregor worked so hard; his father, not at all.'

Define hyperbole.

An exaggerated statement or claim not meant to be taken literally.

Provide an example of hyperbole from The Great Gatsby.

'Mirrored a dozen suns' describes Gatsby's extravagant Rolls-Royce.

What is inversion?

The reversal of normal word order to achieve emphasis, rhythm, or tone.

Give an example of inversion.

'Across the courtesy of the lawns, glimmered the lights of distant mansions.'

Define dramatic irony.

When the audience knows something that the characters do not, creating tension or humor.

Provide an example of dramatic irony from Macbeth.

Duncan praises Macbeth's loyalty while Macbeth plans to murder him.

What is verbal irony?

When a speaker says something that deliberately contrasts with the literal or intended meaning.

Give an example of verbal irony from Macbeth.

Macbeth says, 'Twas a rough night' after Duncan’s murder, referring to his own difficulties.

Define metaphor.

A direct comparison between two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as.'

Provide an example of metaphor from Macbeth.

Macbeth compares his life to a withered autumn leaf, emphasizing his decline.

What is paradox?

A statement that appears contradictory but reveals a deeper truth.

Provide an example of paradox from Macbeth.

Macbeth muses, 'Nothing is but what is not.'

What is personification?

Giving human qualities to ideas, animals, or inanimate objects.

Provide an example of personification from The Great Gatsby.

The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg 'brood' over the valley of ashes.

Define rhetorical question.

A question asked for effect rather than to elicit an answer.

Provide an example of a rhetorical question from Just Mercy.

Stevenson asks, 'Why do we want to kill all the broken people?'

What is simile?

A comparison between two unlike things using 'like' or 'as.'

Give an example of simile from The Great Gatsby.

Fitzgerald writes that Daisy’s voice was 'like money.'

Define symbolism.

The use of an object, character, or event to represent a larger idea.

Provide an example of symbolism from The Things They Carried.

The soldiers’ physical burdens symbolize emotional weight.

What is understatement?

A figure of speech that deliberately makes a situation seem less important than it is.

Provide an example of understatement from The Things They Carried.

O’Brien notes, 'It was a bad night' after Kiowa’s death.