MacbethWilliam Shakespeare

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Literary Elements

tragedy

motif

tragic hero

equivocation

foil

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tragic hero

DefinitionLiterary elements

tragedy

DefinitionLiterary elements

motif

DefinitionLiterary elements

equivocation

DefinitionLiterary elements

foil

DefinitionLiterary elements

tragic hero

The tragic hero is a man of noble stature. He is not an ordinary man, but a man with outstanding quality and greatness about him. His own destruction is for a greater cause or principle.

ExampleLiterary elements

tragedy

A dramatic composition, often in verse, dealing with a serious or somber theme, typically that of a great person destined through a flaw of character or conflict with some overpowering force, as fate or society, to downfall or destruction.ExampleLiterary

elements

motif

a recurring subject, theme, idea, etc., especially in a literary, artistic, or musical work.

ExampleLiterary elements

equivocation

the use of equivocal  or ambiguous expressions, especially in order to mislead or hedge; prevarication; a fallacy caused by the double meaning of a word.

ExampleLiterary elements

foil

a character who contrasts with another character (usually the protagonist) in order to highlight particular qualities of the other character.

ExampleLiterary elements

tragic hero

Literary elements

For brave Macbeth--well he deserves that name—

1.2.18

Then yield thee, coward,And live to be the show and gaze o' the time:We'll have thee, as our rarer monsters are,Painted on a pole, and underwrit,'Here may you see the tyrant.’

5.8.27-31

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tragedy

Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, And then is heard no more. It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.

5.5.19-30Literary elements

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motif

It will have blood, they say; blood will have blood.

3.4.145

I am in bloodStepp'd in so far that, should I wade no more,Returning were as tedious as go o'er.

3.4.160-162 Literary elements

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equivocation

drink "provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance: therefore, much drink may be said to be an equivocator with lechery."

2.3.30-32.Literary elements

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foil

MACBETHIf you shall cleave to my consent, when 'tis,It shall make honour for you.

BANQUOSo I lose noneIn seeking to augment it, but still keepMy bosom franchised and allegiance clear,I shall be counsell'd.

2.1.31-36

Literary elements