Macbeth Literary terms

Situational Irony

when something unexpected happens, a plot twist

dramatic irony

when the audience on stage knows something the characters do not

verbal irony

character says one thing but means something else

understatment

intentionally understating the importance of something

hyperbole 

an extreme exaggeration to prove a point 

paradox

a statement that seems to contradict itself but usually proves an important truth (GET EXAMPLE PALEASE)

simile

a comparison using like or as

metaphor

a comparison without like or as

imagery

description that appeals to the five senses

foreshadowing

hints about what happens later in the plot (EXAPMLPLR)

Pathetic Fallacy

nature reacts to mans actions (example??)

Tragedy

plot line where characters suffer greatly, downfall of the main character. One of Shakespeares three types of plays

Tragic Hero

the main characters in a tragedy who bring tragedy onto themselves through there tragic flaws

tragic flaw

aka hamartia- the fatal flaw that leads to the downfall

monologue

a long speech by one character given to another on stage

soliloquy

a long speech a character gives to themselves. Intended to reveal the thoughts and feelings of the character 

aside

a comment made that is not intended for all characters to hear 

iambic pentameter

a way of writing lines where each has ten symbols and follow a patter of stressed and unstressed

allusion

an expression meant to call something to mind without actually mentioning it

character foils

characters who are placed in the same scene to highlight there opposite traits (macbeth and lady macbeth? other examples?)

the supernatural

use of supernatural events was appealing to the audience (the witches)

nemesis

an agent of punishment or retribution. A rival that cannot be overcome (Macbeth and macduff)

motif

a reoccurring element that appears multiple times throughout the work to reinforce the overall theme or meeting. (blood, animals, guilt, macuslinity)

couplet

to lines in a verse that have rhyme