MacBeth Context & Concepts

Question 1

Arthurian Legend

Answer 1

The stories of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, popular for how they celebrate chivalry and patriotism

Question 2

Autonomy

Answer 2

The right and ability to be able to govern yourself, including your actions and decisions

Question 3

Code of Chivalry

Answer 3

The moral, religious, and social code of Medieval knights, including bravery, honour, and courtesy.

Question 4

Convention

Answer 4

The traditional way of doing things.

Question 5

Dehumanise

Answer 5

Denying someone their humanity, including their emotions and independent thought.

Question 6

Divine Order/Great Chain of Being

Answer 6

The belief in Medieval Christianity that all life and matter on Earth was organised into a hierarchy by God.

Question 7

Divine Right of Kings

Answer 7

The belief in Christianity that the monarch of a country is chosen by God Himself to be His representative on Earth, meaning they don’t have to answer to anyone except God.

Question 8

Facade

Answer 8

A front or mask that is put up to disguise something or someone’s true character.

Question 9

Fate

Answer 9

The development of events outside an individuals’ control, it is sometimes said to be
determined by a supernatural power.

Question 10

Globe Theatre

Answer 10

A theatre in London associated with William Shakespeare where all of Shakespeare’s plays were performed. It was built in 1599 by Shakespeare’s playing company and has been rebuilt and reconstructed since.

Question 11

Heathen

Answer 11

Someone who isn’t a Christian, particularly someone who is pagan or lacks moral principles.

Question 12

Infallible

Answer 12

Never failing, incapable of making mistakes.

Question 13

Melodrama

Answer 13

A dramatic piece that includes exaggerated characters and exciting events

Question 14

Misogyny

Answer 14

Hatred, contempt, or prejudice towards women for no reason other than their gender.

Question 15

Morality

Answer 15

Principles, either personal or social, concerning the difference between right and wrong, going beyond legality and often religion.

Question 16

Mythology

Answer 16

A collection of stories, especially belonging to a particular religion or culture such as the Ancient Greeks, that teach moral lessons or explain aspects of our world

Question 17

Nihilism

Answer 17

Believing life is pointless and meaningless

Question 18

Paganism

Answer 18

A non-Christian or pre-Christian religion, particularly nature worship

Question 19

Patriarchy

Answer 19

A system of society whereby men have ultimate authority which they use to oppress women who are largely excluded from the male dominated society.

Question 20

Prejudice

Answer 20

Having a negative view or opinion of someone that is not based on experience or logic.

Question 21

Remorse

Answer 21

The feeling of intense regret and guilt for doing a bad deed.

Question 22

Repent

Answer 22

To feel or/and express great regret for sinning or committing a crime, particularly in
a religious context.

Question 23

Stereotype

Answer 23

A view or preconception of a person or thing that is fixed and oversimplified, held by most of a population

Question 24

The Gunpowder Plot

Answer 24

An assassination attempt on the King of England, King James 1st in 1605, where a group of Catholics tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament with gunpowder

Question 25

The Renaissance

Answer 25

A period of time from the 14th to 17th century where artists, writers, and philosophers revisited the works of the Ancient Greeks and Romans

Question 26

Toxic Masculinity

Answer 26

The concept that traditional male gender roles restrict emotion in men while encouraging negative, often violent traits

Question 27

Tragedy

Answer 27

A branch of drama that usually depicts the downfall and the reversal of fortune of a good person; suffering usually awaits many of the characters, especially the tragic her

Question 28

Vice

Answer 28

A behaviour or trait that is immoral

Question 29

Virtue

Answer 29

A behaviour or trait that is moral.