Dialogue where a character speaks while other characters are on stage, but only certain characters, or in some cases, only the audience, can “hear” the dialogue. Characters who cannot “hear” the aside will be frozen on stage during it.

The main character. Does not necessarily have to be a good guy, or a hero.

The main character's primary adversary/opponent.

Reference to a person, event, or thing from another text, history, artwork, etc.

Political system with one individual ruler (King/Queen) in control of the decisions, usually inherited through bloodline.

A characteristic of the protagonist in Shakespearean Tragedy which ultimately leads them to their downfall. (ex: Macbeth’s ambition/greed leads him to kill Duncan and become a tyrant).

A strong desire and drive to achieve something, usually success, honor, power, etc.

Criticizing a man for having ‘womanly’ characteristics, or for not being ‘manly’ enough.

A prediction, or a claim, that something is going to happen in the future, given by someone with religious or supernatural power. (ex: The witches tell Banquo that though he will not be King, his descendants will).

A strong feeling of dread or anxiety, sometimes rational, sometimes not. (ex: Macbeth worries that violence will come back against him, since he gained his position through violence. His paranoia causes him to go ‘crazy’ and hallucinate things).

Stealing the position of power from a Monarch by killing them. (ex: Macbeth kills Duncan and takes over as King of Scotland).

A ruler who ignores the wants and needs of their subjects and only cares about their own desires/agenda. Usually someone who is willing to let their subjects suffer or die for no good reason. (ex: Macbeth when he kills people who might stand in his way).

When a stressful or scary scene is followed up by a funny scene (ex. the drunken porter scene in the morning after Duncan is murdered).

When the speaker says the opposite of what they mean (ex: When Lennox gives his sarcastic speech to Lord, parroting Macbeth’s false story).

When the audience/reader has information that the character does not have (ex: We know Macbeth has been named Thane of Cawdor, but he doesn’t know it yet).

When what actually happens is the opposite of what is expected/appropriate (ex: When it is daytime, but it is dark outside).