| The Witches | 3 supernatural witches who deliver prophecies to Macbeth |
| Hecate | goddess of witchcraft; “in charge” of the three witches |
| The Apparitions | appear from the witches, as commanded by Macbeth; first: head w/ helmet, tells Macbeth to fear Macduff; second: bloody child, says no one born of a woman will hurt Macbeth; third: crowned child w/ tree in hand, says no one can defeat Macbeth until Birnam Woods uproots and moves to Dusinane; fourth: line of eight ghosts – descendants of Banquo, all crowned and holding specters |
| Doctor | observes Lady Macbeth sleepwalking, states that she has gone insane from the guilt and only God can help her |
| Gentlewoman | reports Lady Macbeth’s sleepwalking to the Doctor |
| Lady Macbeth | Macbeth’s wife, previously controlling and manipulative; now has lost her mind and gone crazy from the guilt that she carries, eventually commits suicide |
| Menteith | nobleman of Scotland, supports Malcolm |
| Angus | nobleman of Scotland, turns to Malcolm’s side |
| Caithness | nobleman of Scotland, turns to Malcolm’s side |
| Lennox | nobleman of Scotland, informs Macbeth that Macduff fled to England, however betrays Macbeth for Malcolm |
| Macbeth | main character, now King of Scotland after killing King Duncan – becoming insane and deteriorating from guilt |
| Seyton | Macbeth’s servant |
| Malcolm | elder son of Duncan, named Prince of Cumberland and fled to England – now joining with Macduff to fight against Macbeth |
| Siward | leader of English army fighting against Macbeth, loses his son in battle |
| Macduff | nobleman of Scotland, betrays Macbeth and flees to England in support of Malcolm, convince Malcolm to fight against Macbeth |
| Young Siward | Siward’s son, dies in battle – his death reveals the definition of manliness at the time |
| Ross | nobleman of Scotland, brings news to Macduff in England, betrays Macbeth |
| Lady Macduff | Macduff’s wife, calls him a traitor; later is murdered |
| Macduff’s son | murdered under orders of Macbeth |
| Paradox | statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.ex: Fair is foul, and foul is fair. |
| Metaphor | comparison that establishes a figurative identity between objects being compared. |
| Simile | comparison using “like” or “as” |
| Hyperbole | figure of speech that uses exaggeration to express strong emotion, make a point, or evoke humor |
| Personification | figure of speech in which an object or animal is given human feelings, thoughts, or attitudes |
| Allusion | reference to another work of literature, person, or event |
| Soliloquy | long speech expressing the thoughts of a character alone on stage – is a type of monologue |
| Monologue | long speech given by one person, gives background information |
| Aside | spoken directly to the audience, no one else on stage can hear; words from a single character or a conversation between two |
| Imagery | description that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste) |
| Devastation When Ambition Oversteps Morality | Macbeth’s deterioration after feeling guilt |
| Power vs. Tyranny | difference between having power and using it fairly and abusing power (Duncan vs. Macbeth) |
| Fate vs. Free Will | CONTROL – idea of “Who is to blame?”; influence of others (witches, Lady Macbeth) |
| Appearance vs. Reality | “masking” true feelings with an innocent appearance; truly good nobleman turns into a tyrant |
| Nature and the Natural World | supernatural element: thunder/lightning and chaotic environment indicate that order has been messed with, evil has occurred; witches and apparitions bringing prophecies |
| Light and Darkness | good vs. evil |
| Children | represent innocence; any one that harms children is evil |
| Blood | guilt (blood on hands) |
| Sleep | (lack of sleep/insomnia) indicates guilt, Lady Macbeth’s sleepwalking due to guilt |
| Visions | Macbeth’s paranoia |
| Falling Action | events that follow the climax: apparitions, Lady Macbeth and Macbeth’s deterioration, Malcolm and Macduff joining forces |
| Catastrophe | event that marks the TRAGIC FALL of the protagonist, typically death of the character: Macbeth’s death (cockiness blindsides him), and Lady Macbeth’s suicide (“part” of Macbeth, dies because her ambition causes her extreme guilt) |
| Denouement | ties up loose ends: Malcolm’s speech about restructuring Scotland |
| Anagorisis | realization of tragic mistake of protagonist: Macbeth’s tomorrow soliloquy |
| Catharsis | a “release,” feeling of sympathy and acceptance: Young Siward symbolizes what Macbeth once was, “Angels are bright still, though the brightest fell” – even those who are good can fall |
Macbeth Acts 4 and 5: Characters, Terms, Themes, Motifs
September 13, 2019