Macbeth Key Vocabulary/words Flashcards
Hubris
Expressive pride or arrogance
Anagnorisis
When the hero of the story recongrises their looming downfall.
For example (act – 5)
When ‘lady Macbeth’ commits suicide and malcom and Macduff are charging towards his castle in Birnam woods.
This marks his anagnorisis as he realises his downfall.
Peripeteia
A sudden change or reverse in a story which is a negative circumstance, where the character might not be necessary aware.
For example (act-2)
when Macbeth commits regicide (killing a monarch/ when Macbeth kills king Duncan). This is his change or reverse of fortune as everything starts to go downhill from there. He might not recognise it yet, but that marks his downfall.
Catharsis
Release of emotions,normally through pity and fear.
For example:
The audience experience catharsis as they fear his blood-thirsty rampage, whilst also pity him for indulging in his ambition/__-_===—-—–
We also see him as a victim to his own ambition.
He was so engulfed to consumed by his ambition, he lost sight of morality and therefore his life.
Tyranny
Cruel and oppressive treatment by a leader (making them a tyrannical leader).
For example:
Macbeth becomes a tyrannical leader
He becomes barbaric (crude/ cruel) and ruthless shown by his continual onslaught of lives in exchange for power..
Lady Macbeth is the tyrannical force behind Macbeth. We see her manipulative influence over him in act 1, which leads him to become this tyrannical leader.
Macduff tries to restore order by killing Macbeth as he’s aware that once the tyrannical force of Macbeth is diminished, then Scotland can be at peace again.
Vicissitude
The change of circumstance that is typically unfortunate.
For example :
Macbeth experienced the vicissitudes of fate, as his initial rise to power is followed by a series of tragic events that ultimately lead to his demise.
Callous
Heartless
Paradox
A contradictory statement
A contradictory statement is one that says two things that cannot be true.
Eponymous
An adjective (of a person) giving their name to something or named after a particular person or group.
Being a person after whom a literary work, film, etc, is named.
The eponymous hero in the play Macbeth ( of a literary work, film, etc) named after its central character or creator.
Macbeth is the eponymous character of his Shakespeare tragedy.
Hamartia
A flaw in a character that brings about the downfall of the hero of a tragedy.
Macbeth’s tragic flaw, or hamartia, is his ambition.
Valiant + valour
Brave
Epitomise
Embody = someone that represents something.
Egivocate
(Verb)
To use ambiguous language so as to conceal the truth.
She spoke without equivocation.
She spoke clearly
Chastise
Criticise
Soliloquy
A long speech read aloud when no other characters are.
Thoughts read aloud.
Malevolent
(Adjective)
Having or showing a wish to do evil to others/ wanting to be nasty to others.
Heinous
(Adjective)
(Of a person or a wrongful act) utterly wicked or shocking.
Notion
Belief
Perils
Danger
Androgyny
Possession of both masculine and feminine characteristics
Despot
Tyrant
Capricious
Unpredictable
Feasible
Possible
Cryptic
Mysterious
