Macbeth Lecture Notes Review

Flashcards based on thematic vocabulary and concepts from the play Macbeth to aid student understanding and review.

Witchcraft

The practice of magic, especially for evil purposes, as depicted by the three witches in Macbeth.

Baleful

Threatening harm; menacing; ominous.

Gallows

A structure from which a noose is suspended, used for execution by hanging.

Glorious

Having, worthy of, or bringing fame and admiration.

Ambition

A strong desire to do or achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work.

Portentous

Of or like a portent; ominously significant.

Macbeth

A tragedy by William Shakespeare about a Scottish general whose ambition leads him to treachery and murder.

Tragic Hero

A protagonist with a fatal flaw that ultimately leads to his demise.

Bloodshed

The killing or wounding of people, especially in war.

Iambic Pentameter

A type of poetic meter consisting of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable, commonly used in Shakespeare's works.

Foul and Fair

A recurring motif in the play representing the theme that appearances can be deceiving.

Cawdor

The title given to Macbeth which he receives after the previous Thane is executed for treason.

Dunsinane

The location of Macbeth's castle and the site of the final battle.

Unearthly

Not earthly; supernatural; unearthly beings or events often represent the supernatural in literature.

Desire

A strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen.

Prophetic

Relating to the ability to predict or foretell future events.

Tragedy

A dramatic work that presents the downfall of a character, usually based on a tragic flaw.

Thane

A title of nobility in Scotland equivalent to a lord.

Revenge

The action of inflicting hurt or harm on someone for an injury or wrong done to oneself.

Hecate

The goddess of witchcraft and magic, associated with the supernatural in Macbeth.

Sovereignty

Supreme power or authority, often discussed in terms of ethnic rule.

Inevitability

The state of being certain to happen; a theme often explored in tragedy.

Despair

The complete loss or absence of hope, a recurring sentiment in Macbeth.

Duality

The quality or condition of being dual; dichotomy, as shown in themes of good vs evil in the play.