Extended metaphor
Comparison of two unlike things for several sentences or paragraphs, elaborating on the connection with multiple details
Microcosm
Miniature representation of a larger system, world, or situation, embodying the same characteristics on a smaller scale
Blank verse
Poetic writing with rhythm but without rhyme
Feet
Specific sets of syllables with clear stresses and non-stresses.
Meter
How many of a poetic foot are in a line of poetry
Enjambment
The continuation of a sentence without a pause beyond the end of a line
Renaissance
A period when a people or nation experiences vitality and explosive growth in its culture and arts.
Monologue
A long speech by a single character to other characters or directly to the audience–meant to be heard
Aside
A short bit spoken alone or to another character that others are not meant to hear
Soliloquy
A long speech by a single character who is alone on stage; the character is thinking aloud
Metadrama
A moment that draws attention to the story’s fictional status
Apostrophe
A figurative device that involves addressing some abstraction or personification that is not physically present
Antimetabole
The repetition of words in successive clauses, but in transposed (reversed) order. Ex. “Eat to live; don’t live to eat.”
Epizeuxis
The immediate, consecutive repetition of a word or phrase
Anachronism
Placing an event, person, item, or verbal expression in the wrong historical period
Hyperbole
An extreme exaggeration
Antithesis
Two similarly-worded yet contrasting ideas are juxtaposed for dramatic effect
Epithet
A characterizing word or phrase accompanying or occurring in place of the name of a person or thing
Analogy
Presents two things as alike, thus hinting that other characteristics must be alike
Metaphor
A direct comparison of two unrelated things by stating that one is the other
Allusion: Golgotha
Golgotha was the mount on which Christ was crucified; men fighting meant to turn the battlefield into another place of complete death and destruction.
Allusion: Gorgon
The gorgons were three sisters who had the power to turn anyone who looked at them to stone; Macduff implies that Duncan’s dead body is so horrific that it will turn onlookers to stone.
Allusion: Tarquin
Tarquin was a tyrannical ruler who attacked and raped a virtuous woman in the middle of the night; Macbeth will embody Tarquin when he becomes a tyrant and attacks a virtuous person (Duncan).
Allusion: Antony
Mark Antony heard from a soothsayer that his fortunes would not be as great as Caesar’s and that he should not stay by Caesar’s side; Macbeth fears that Banquo will be like Caesar, and, like Antony, he will have his fortunes overshadowed by those of Banquo.
