Untitled Flashcards Set

Lady Macbeth

A character in Shakespeare's play who embodies ambition and challenges the traditional gender roles of her time.

Patriarchal Society

A social system in which men hold primary power, limiting women's rights and roles.

Omnipotent Antagonist

A character possessing immense power, often used to challenge societal norms, as seen in Lady Macbeth.

Imperative Verbs

Verbs that express commands, highlighting Lady Macbeth's assertive nature, e.g., 'Come' and 'take'.

Symbolism of the Raven

In Lady Macbeth's quote, the raven symbolizes death and foretells the impending doom of King Duncan.

Machiavellian Behavior

Cunning, scheming, and unscrupulous actions aimed at gaining power, exemplified by Lady Macbeth.

Hyperbole

Exaggerated statements that emphasize Lady Macbeth's ambition, such as suggesting violent imagery regarding motherhood.

Subversion of Patriarchy

An act of challenging or undermining the established patriarchal system, as demonstrated by Lady Macbeth's actions.

Masculinity vs. Femininity

The contrasting attributes and societal expectations of men and women in Shakespeare's time, central to Lady Macbeth's character.

Violent Imagery

Graphic descriptions intended to elicit strong emotions, used by Lady Macbeth to convey her ruthlessness and desire for power.

Empathy for Lady Macbeth

Feelings of sympathy towards Lady Macbeth, stemming from her struggles against gender restrictions in a patriarchal society.

Jacobean Audience

The contemporary viewers of Shakespeare's plays who reflected the societal norms and expectations of the time.