Macbeth Glossary Terms

Act

A main division of a drama. Shakespeare’s plays have five acts with each act subdivided into scenes.

Allusion

A reference to a literary or historical person or event to explain a present situation. Ex. “Approach the chamber, and destroy your sight.with a new Gorgon.”

Aside

A brief remark made by a character intended to be heard by the audience but not by other characters.

Atmosphere

The tone or mood established by events, places or situations. Ex. The foreboding atmosphere of the words, “Fair is foul and foul is fair.”

Chorus

The singing and dancing group whose words formed commentary or interpretation of action. Was often taken by one actor, who recited a prologue or by several actors who offered commentary on a situation.

Comic relief

A humorous scene or speech in a serious drama which is meant to provide relief from emotional intensity and, by contrast to heighten the seriousness of the story.

Foreshadowing

A hint of what is to come in the story. Often used to keep the audience in a state of expectancy.

Imagery

The term is used to describe words or phrases that appeal to the five senses.

Irony

A contrast between what is and what appears to be.

Verbal irony

A character says one thing, but means other.

Dramatic irony

The audience knows something that the characters do not.

Metaphor

A figure of speech that implies or states a comparison between two unlike things. Do not use like or as. Ex. “Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player, /That struts and frets his hour upon the stage/And then is heard no more.”

Paradox

A statement which seems to be contradictory but is at the same time profoundly logical. May be used to emphasize a particular theme or idea. Ex. “So foul and fair a day I have not seen.”

Scene

A small unit of a play in which there is no shift of locale or time.

Simile

A figure of speech that states a comparison between two unlike things which are similar in one aspect. Introduced by like or as. Ex. “His virtues/Will be plead like angels trumpet-tongued , against/The deep damnation of his taking-off.”

Soliloquy

A speech given by a character alone on the stage. It’s purpose is to let the audience know what the character is thinking and feeling.

Tragedy

A type of drama of human conflict which ends in defeat and suffering. Often the main character has a tragic flaw which leads to his or her destruction. Sometimes the conflict is with forces such as fate and evil in the world.

Oxymoron

A figure of speech, usually 2 words, which appears to be contradictory, but is purposeful in meaning. Example: Jumbo shrimp; parting is such sweet sorrow; this is awfully good