Macbeth Glossary: Key Terms & Definitions Explained

Understanding Shakespeare's Macbeth can feel like wading through a dense fog, especially with all the archaic language and unfamiliar terms. But fear not, dear reader! This comprehensive Macbeth glossary is here to illuminate your path and make your journey through the Scottish play a whole lot smoother. So, let's dive in and decode the Bard's brilliant (and sometimes baffling) words!

Key Terms and Definitions

To fully appreciate Macbeth, grasping the meaning behind some of Shakespeare's word choices is very important. This glossary offers definitions and explanations of words, phrases, and concepts. Whether you're a student, a theater enthusiast, or simply curious about Shakespeare's work, this glossary will enhance your understanding and enjoyment of Macbeth. Consider this your ultimate Macbeth dictionary, unlocking the secrets hidden within the text. Let's explore Macbeth together. Shakespeare's plays, like Macbeth, are filled with beautiful language and imagery. But sometimes, the words themselves can be a bit of a stumbling block. That's why we've created this glossary – to help you navigate the tricky bits and fully appreciate the genius of Shakespeare's writing. Think of it as a key to unlocking the play's deeper meanings. With each definition, you'll gain a richer understanding of the characters, the themes, and the overall impact of Macbeth. This will help to make your reading, or watching, experience more rewarding. The vocabulary in Macbeth reflects the time period in which it was written. It also showcases Shakespeare's mastery of the English language. By understanding the words, you'll gain insight into the cultural context of the play and the nuances of Shakespeare's style. This will enrich your experience and broaden your appreciation for literature and language. Furthermore, studying the language in Macbeth can be a fantastic way to expand your own vocabulary and improve your understanding of English grammar. So, let's embark on this linguistic journey together and discover the treasures that await us in the world of Macbeth!

A

• Anon: Soon, presently. "I come, anon!" means "I'm coming soon!"
• Ape: A fool, an idiot. Calling someone an ape was a serious insult back in Shakespeare's day.
• Apparition: A ghost or phantom. In Macbeth, the apparitions play a crucial role in shaping Macbeth's destiny. The witches conjure up several apparitions, each delivering cryptic prophecies that influence Macbeth's actions. These visions are not to be trusted. They mislead Macbeth, and he is confused. These apparitions ultimately contribute to his downfall. He misinterprets their messages and acts on false assumptions. Therefore, it is important to remember that appearances can be deceiving and that seeking knowledge from supernatural sources can have disastrous consequences. The apparitions in Macbeth are a powerful reminder of the dangers of ambition, the corrupting influence of power, and the importance of critical thinking.
• Assailable: Vulnerable to attack. Macbeth's castle becomes increasingly assailable as his enemies gather against him. This highlights his growing isolation and the inevitable consequences of his actions. He becomes increasingly vulnerable and isolated. This reflects the crumbling foundations of his reign and the loss of support from his thanes and subjects. Macbeth's paranoia and tyranny have alienated those around him, leaving him exposed to the forces that seek to overthrow him. Therefore, the concept of assailability is central to the play's exploration of power, ambition, and the fragility of human existence. As Macbeth's grip on the throne weakens, his assailability increases, ultimately leading to his demise. The play is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the importance of maintaining a strong moral compass.
• Avaunt!: Get away! Begone! A forceful command used to dismiss someone or something undesirable. "Avaunt, and quit my sight!" is Macbeth's dramatic rejection of Banquo's ghost.

B

• Babe: A baby. Often used to evoke feelings of innocence and vulnerability.
• Ban: A curse or condemnation. "He put a ban upon the witches." This shows the speaker's rejection of their witchcraft.
• Benison: Blessing. A prayer or expression of goodwill. The opposite of a ban.
• Beshrew: To curse or invoke evil upon someone. A milder form of cursing. Lady Macbeth might beshrew the messenger who brings bad news.
• Bodements: Prophecies or predictions. The witches' bodements heavily influence Macbeth's actions. These prophecies are not necessarily true, and may mislead Macbeth. The bodements plant seeds of ambition and paranoia in Macbeth's mind, leading him down a path of violence and ultimately to his destruction. The prophecies are vague and open to interpretation, which Macbeth does to his own demise. Macbeth's reliance on these bodements highlights the dangers of seeking supernatural guidance and the importance of relying on one's own moral compass.

C

• Chamberlains: Servants who attend to the royal bedchamber.
• Charnel house: A building or room where corpses or bones are placed.
• Cherubin: An angel. Often used to describe innocence and purity.
• Clout: A rag or piece of cloth. Used to wipe or clean something.
• Coign: A corner or projecting angle. Often used in describing architectural features.
• Corporeal: Having a physical body; tangible. Banquo's ghost is not corporeal.

D

• Dire: Dreadful, terrible. "Dire is the slaughter!" means "The slaughter is terrible!"
• Dudgeon: The hilt of a dagger. Also can refer to a feeling of anger or resentment.
• Dun: A dull, grayish-brown color. "The battle's dun" could describe the gloomy atmosphere of the battlefield.

E

• Equivocation: The use of ambiguous language to conceal the truth or avoid committing oneself. The witches are masters of equivocation.
• Estate: Rank or social standing. Also, possessions or property. "He is of high estate" means "He is of high social standing."
• Exeunt: A stage direction indicating that multiple characters exit the stage. "Exeunt all but Macbeth" means that all characters except Macbeth leave the stage.

F

• Fain: Gladly, willingly. "I would fain go" means "I would gladly go."
• Farrow: A litter of pigs. Used to describe something disgusting or undesirable. The witches' cauldron might contain the grease from a farrow sow.
• Fife: A region in Scotland, north of Edinburgh. Macbeth is the Thane of Fife.
• Fleance: Banquo's son, who escapes Macbeth's attempt to murder him. Fleance's survival is significant because it means that Banquo's descendants may still become kings, fulfilling the witches' prophecy. His escape represents a threat to Macbeth's reign and a symbol of hope for the future. Fleance's character highlights the theme of fate versus free will in the play. Will he ultimately fulfill his destiny? His existence serves as a constant reminder of the incompleteness of Macbeth's triumph and the potential for his downfall.

G

• Gallowglasses: Heavily armed Irish soldiers, often employed as mercenaries.
• Glamis: Macbeth's original title; his castle. He inherits this title from his father.
• Good morrow: Good morning. A common greeting in Shakespeare's time.
• Gouts: Drops, typically of blood. "Gouts of blood" emphasizes the violence and bloodshed in the play.

H

• Hark: Listen! Pay attention! A command to listen carefully.
• Heath: An open, uncultivated land with coarse vegetation. The witches often meet on the heath.
• Hie: Hurry! Go quickly! "Hie thee hither!" means "Hurry here!"

I

• Impediments: Obstacles; hindrances. "There are no impediments" means "There are no obstacles."
• Incarnadine: To make red; to stain crimson. Macbeth speaks of his hand incarnadining the sea with blood.
• Interdiction: A prohibition or ban. A formal order restricting someone from doing something.

J

• Jocund: Cheerful and lighthearted. Lady Macbeth urges her husband to appear jocund to deceive their guests.
• Judicious: Showing good judgment; wise. A judicious king would listen to his advisors.

K

• kerns: Lightly armed Irish foot soldiers.
• kindred: Family or relatives. Also, a sense of shared connection or ancestry.

L

• Leige: A lord or sovereign. One to whom allegiance and service are owed.
• Limbeck: An alembic, a distilling apparatus. Used in alchemy and potion-making.
• Lieu: Instead; in place of. "In lieu of payment" means "Instead of payment."

M

• Malkin: A disheveled old woman, often associated with witchcraft.
• Meet: Suitable, fitting. "It is meet that we do this" means "It is suitable that we do this."
• Mettle: Courage, spirit. Lady Macbeth questions Macbeth's mettle.
• Mickle: Much, great. "Mickle sorrow" means "Much sorrow."

N

• Naught: Nothing. "He is worth naught" means "He is worth nothing."
• Nonce: The present occasion or purpose. "For the nonce" means "For the present."

O

• Obsequies: Funeral rites or ceremonies.
• Orisons: Prayers.

P

• Palpable: Able to be touched or felt; tangible.
• Prithee: Please (a shortened form of "I pray thee").

Q

• Quarry: A heap of dead game after a hunt. Also, a victim or prey.

R

• Rood: A cross or crucifix. "By the rood!" is an oath.

S

• Scone: The place where Scottish kings were crowned. Macbeth goes to Scone to be crowned king.
• Seyton: Macbeth's chief servant.
• Sooth: Truth. Also, to soothe or comfort.

T

• thane: A Scottish nobleman.
• thee/thou: Old-fashioned forms of "you."
• troth: Faith, loyalty. "By my troth!" is an oath.

U

• Unbecoming: Not suitable; inappropriate.
• Usurp: To seize power or authority illegally.

V

• Valor: Courage or bravery.
• Verity: Truth.

W

• Weird: Relating to fate or destiny. The Weird Sisters are the witches.
• Whence: From where.
• Whither: To where.

Y

• Yare: Quick; nimble.

This glossary should serve as a valuable tool for anyone studying or performing Macbeth. By understanding the language of the play, you can unlock its deeper meanings and appreciate the genius of Shakespeare's work.