Macbeth Keyword Flashcards
Regicide
Regicide, the act of killing a king, is a central theme in Macbeth. In the play, Macbeth commits regicide by murdering King Duncan to seize the throne. This act disrupts the natural order, leading to guilt, paranoia, and his eventual downfall. Shakespeare presents regicide as a grave sin, invoking themes of divine justice and the consequences of unchecked ambition.
Equilibrium
In Macbeth, equilibrium refers to the balance of order and stability in Scotland before Macbeth disrupts it by murdering King Duncan. His rise to power creates chaos, guilt, and tyranny, throwing the kingdom into disorder. The play ultimately restores equilibrium when Macbeth is defeated and Malcolm takes the throne, symbolizing the return of rightful rule and harmony.
Blasphemy
In Macbeth, blasphemy refers to acts that defy or disrespect the divine order. Macbeth’s murder of King Duncan is a form of blasphemy, as kings were believed to be chosen by God (the Divine Right of Kings). His actions go against this sacred order, leading to his downfall and reinforcing the play’s theme of divine justice.
Fatal Flaw
In Macbeth, a fatal flaw (or hamartia) is the trait that leads to the protagonist’s downfall. Macbeth’s fatal flaw is his unchecked ambition, which drives him to commit murder and seize the throne. This ambition blinds him to reason, leading to paranoia, tyranny, and ultimately his tragic demise.
Divine Right of Kings
In Macbeth, the Divine Right of Kings is the belief that monarchs are chosen by God and ruling against them is a sin. Macbeth’s murder of King Duncan defies this sacred order, leading to chaos in Scotland. His unlawful rule brings divine punishment, reinforcing the idea that only rightful kings, like Malcolm, can restore balance.
Disequilibrium
In Macbeth, disequilibrium refers to the disruption of order and stability caused by Macbeth’s unlawful rise to power. His murder of King Duncan creates chaos in Scotland, leading to violence, paranoia, and tyranny. This imbalance continues until Macbeth’s defeat, when rightful rule is restored, bringing equilibrium back to the kingdom.
Blasphemous
In Macbeth, blasphemous refers to actions or words that show disrespect toward God or the natural order. Macbeth’s murder of King Duncan is blasphemous because it defies the Divine Right of Kings, challenging God’s will. His descent into tyranny and invocation of dark forces further emphasize his rejection of moral and religious order, leading to his downfall.
Catharsis
In Macbeth, catharsis refers to the emotional release felt by the audience at the end of the tragedy. As Macbeth meets his downfall, the tension built through his tyranny, guilt, and paranoia is resolved. His death and Malcolm’s rightful ascension restore order, allowing the audience to experience relief and a sense of justice being served.
God’s Mandation
In Macbeth, God’s mandation refers to the belief that a king rules by divine authority, as part of the Divine Right of Kings. King Duncan’s reign is seen as ordained by God, making Macbeth’s act of regicide a direct defiance of divine will. This violation leads to chaos and Macbeth’s eventual downfall, reinforcing the idea that only a rightful, God-approved ruler (like Malcolm) can restore order.
Tragedy
In Macbeth, tragedy refers to the downfall of the protagonist due to a fatal flaw. Macbeth, driven by unchecked ambition, commits regicide and descends into tyranny, leading to his eventual destruction. Shakespeare’s tragedy evokes pity and fear, showing the consequences of defying moral and divine order, and ultimately restoring balance through Macbeth’s demise.
Disloyal
In Macbeth, disloyal refers to betrayal of one’s allegiance or duties, particularly toward the king and the kingdom. Macbeth’s disloyalty is shown when he murders King Duncan, who is both his ruler and guest, breaking the sacred bond of trust. His disloyalty to Duncan and later to his own values leads to his moral corruption, tyranny, and eventual downfall.
Peripetia
In Macbeth, peripeteia refers to a sudden reversal of fortune or change in circumstances. This occurs when Macbeth, after securing the throne through Duncan’s murder, begins to spiral into paranoia and guilt. His initial success turns into a downfall as he becomes consumed by fear, leading to his eventual defeat and death. The peripeteia highlights the consequences of his actions and the unpredictability of fate.
Legitimacy
In Macbeth, legitimacy refers to the rightful authority to rule, based on divine approval or established law. Macbeth’s claim to the throne lacks legitimacy, as he gains power through murder rather than inheritance or divine right. His rule is marked by violence and tyranny, and his lack of legitimacy contrasts with the rightful claim of Malcolm, Duncan’s son, who ultimately restores order to Scotland.
Tragic Hero
In Macbeth, the tragic hero is the central character who experiences a fall from grace due to a fatal flaw or poor judgment. Macbeth, once a noble and respected soldier, becomes a tragic hero when his unchecked ambition leads him to murder King Duncan and seize the throne. His descent into tyranny, guilt, and madness results in his downfall, evoking both pity and fear in the audience. Despite his tragic end, Macbeth’s story reflects the consequences of his own choices and the inevitability of fate.
Prophecy
In Macbeth, prophecy refers to the predictions made by the three witches, which play a crucial role in driving the plot. They foretell that Macbeth will become king, but their ambiguous words lead him to interpret the prophecy in a way that fuels his ambition. The witches’ prophecies set in motion Macbeth’s actions, but their cryptic nature also highlights the theme of fate versus free will, as Macbeth ultimately brings about his own destruction by trying to control his future.
Anagnorisis
In Macbeth, anagnorisis refers to the moment of recognition or realization, typically when a character becomes aware of their true situation or the consequences of their actions. For Macbeth, his anagnorisis occurs too late, when he realizes that his fate is sealed and that he has been misled by the witches’ prophecies. This moment of self-awareness comes as he faces his impending death, but it does not change the outcome, highlighting the tragic nature of his character.
Absolute
In Macbeth, absolute refers to something that is complete or without limitation. Macbeth’s ambition is portrayed as absolute, driving him to commit increasingly ruthless acts without hesitation or moral restraint. His desire for power becomes all-consuming and unchecked, leading him to make decisions that ultimately result in his downfall. The play also explores the concept of absolute power, showing how Macbeth’s reign is marked by tyranny and the consequences of absolute ambition.
Flaw
In Macbeth, a flaw refers to a characteristic or trait in a character that leads to their downfall. Macbeth’s tragic flaw is his unchecked ambition. Initially a loyal and honorable soldier, his desire for power grows after hearing the witches’ prophecy. This ambition drives him to murder King Duncan and take the throne, but it also leads to guilt, paranoia, and a series of increasingly destructive actions, ultimately resulting in his death. The flaw illustrates how excessive ambition can corrupt and bring ruin.
Prophetic
In Macbeth, prophetic refers to the ability to predict or foretell future events, as demonstrated by the three witches. Their prophecies about Macbeth’s rise to power and the eventual downfall of his reign set the course for the entire tragedy. Though their predictions appear to come true, they are often ambiguous and open to interpretation, leading Macbeth to make fatal decisions based on his belief in their absolute truth. The witches’ prophetic words highlight the theme of fate and the consequences of trying to alter or control one’s destiny.
Hamartia
In Macbeth, hamartia refers to the protagonist’s tragic flaw or error in judgment that leads to their downfall. For Macbeth, his hamartia is his unchecked ambition. His overwhelming desire to become king drives him to commit murder and deceit, ultimately causing his moral and psychological deterioration. This flaw blinds him to the consequences of his actions, and his downfall becomes inevitable as he spirals further into tyranny and madness. The concept of hamartia highlights how a single weakness can lead to a tragic end.
Natural Order
In Macbeth, natural order refers to the divine and societal hierarchy that should govern the world, where the king, as God’s appointed ruler, maintains peace and stability. Macbeth’s murder of King Duncan disrupts this natural order, causing chaos and imbalance in both the kingdom and the natural world. The play suggests that when the natural order is violated, disorder and suffering follow, leading to Macbeth’s downfall and the eventual restoration of order with Malcolm’s ascension to the throne.
Allegiance
In Macbeth, allegiance refers to loyalty or faithfulness to a ruler, cause, or country. Macbeth initially pledges his allegiance to King Duncan, serving him faithfully as a soldier. However, his allegiance is broken when he murders Duncan to seize the throne. Macbeth’s betrayal of this loyalty leads to his moral corruption and fuels the violence that consumes the play. The theme of allegiance is central to the play, as characters grapple with loyalty to their leaders, friends, and their own ambitions.
Dramatic Irony
In Macbeth, dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows something that the characters do not, creating tension and highlighting the tragic outcomes. For example, when Macbeth is hailed as the new king, the audience knows he has murdered Duncan to seize the throne, while the other characters are unaware of his treachery. This creates a sense of unease as the audience watches Macbeth’s actions unfold, knowing the consequences of his choices before the characters do. Dramatic irony deepens the themes of guilt, deception, and fate in the play.
Prose
In Macbeth, prose refers to written or spoken language that is not in verse form. Shakespeare often uses prose to distinguish between different social classes and emotional states. For instance, when characters like the Porter or the servants speak, they often do so in prose, highlighting their lower social status or comedic moments. In contrast, nobility like Macbeth and Lady Macbeth typically speak in verse, reflecting their elevated status. The shift between prose and verse also mirrors the characters’ mental states, with moments of chaos or madness often expressed in prose.
