I’ve created a list of advanced GCSE Macbeth vocabulary, that will help you with your GCSE Macbeth essays. If used correctly, your writing will be more sophisticated and surely would impress the examiners. Along with the definitions, I’ve also provided you with examples of how to include the words in your writing.
Machiavellian
using clever but often dishonest methods that deceive people, so that you can win power or control
Macbeth displays Machiavellian traits early in the play when Ross announces he will be given the title of Thane of Cawdor. Upon hearing this news, Macbeth immediately entertained transgressive thoughts. He reasoned that if two of the Witches’ prophecies had already come true, why shouldn’t the third one also come true? He privately mentioned, “whose murder yet is fantastical,” indicating that although the idea of murder seemed like a fantasy, it had already crossed his mind. This demonstrates Machiavellian thinking, as he cleverly kept these thoughts to himself and did not share them with Banquo. Despite his cunning thoughts, he outwardly expressed loyalty by saying, “Our duties are to your throne.”
Usurper
a person who takes a position of power or importance illegally or by force.
Macbeth shockingly becomes a murderous tyrant when he kills King Duncan to usurp the throne.
Revolt
take violent action against an established government or ruler; rebel.
The play starts with a revolt as the Thane of Cawdor, a Scottish nobleman, becomes treacherous and raises a rebellion against King Duncan. This shows that the country is in an unstable state and foreshadows that King Duncan is not safe.
Hamartia
a fatal flaw leading to the downfall of a tragic hero or heroine.
Due to his, “vaulting ambition”, Macbeth led himself to his hamartia, as he became too ambitious and did not think of the consequences of usurping King Duncan.
Emasculate
deprive (a man) of his male role or identity.
Lady Macbeth emasculates Macbeth and belittles his manhood as she questions, “are you a man?”, mocking Macbeth for becoming cold feet.
Amoral
lacking a moral sense; unconcerned with the rightness or wrongness of something.
Heavily influenced by the evil forces (the witches), Lady Macbeth becomes extremely amoral. As a woman of the Jacobean times, it is extremely shocking when she questions Macbeth’s manhood, “when you durst do it, then you are a man.” She becomes so amoral that she equates manhood to committing heinous acts of regicide.
Turmoil
a state of great disturbance, confusion, or uncertainty.
Through usurping King Duncan, Macbeth disturbs the social, political and religious order. The morning of King Duncan’s murder, Lennox describes the night before as, “ unruly. Where we lay, our chimneys have been blown down.” The turmoil in the natural world is symbolic of how the death of the king will disrupt the human order.
Morality
principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behaviour.
The witches manipulate Macbeth by mixing some truths with a lie. The prophecies they share lead Macbeth to follow his “vaulting ambition” rather than his morality.
Didactic
intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive.
In this didactic play, Shakespeare is teaching the Jacobean audience that if one goes Against The Great Chain of Being then one will only lead himself to his downfall.
Pathos
a quality that evokes pity or sadness.
questioning Macbeth’s masculinity is an example of Lady Macbeth using pathos to persuade him to kill King Duncan.
Hubris
excessive pride or self-confidence.
Hubris is one of Macbeth’s huge character flaws. This trait can be seen soon after the witches meet him with the prophecies. hubris traits are seen in him, as he begins to have murderous thoughts, although yet “fantastical”, however, his pride allows him to feel confident in thinking that he can gain the throne.
Chivalry
the medieval knightly system with its religious, moral, and social code.
Macbeth is portrayed as chivalrous at the start of the play when the Captain, in his speech to Duncan, describes Macbeth as “brave Macbeth”, as he Fought with valour for his country.
Duplicitous
deceitful
Lady Macbeth informs Macbeth to “look like the innocent flower, but be Serpent under”, she shows her Duplicitous intentions when she asks her husband to hide his real intentions and look as loving and welcoming as a flower. The noun “serpent” has connotations of evil and slyness. She wants Macbeth to adopt that level of evilness but Completely mask it by looking like a peaceful and innocent flower.
Equivocate
use ambiguous language so as to conceal the truth.
before killing King Duncan, Macbeth uses equivocation, as He says, “ If it were done when ’tis done, then t’were well It were done quickly,” Macbeth could not get himself to say murder, showing that it is so difficult for him, due to feelings of guilt, hence, he thinks getting “it done quickly” could make it easier. The pronoun “it” refers to murder.
Exploit
to use someone or something unfairly for one’s own advantage.
Indeed, Macbeth exploited his power, once he became the King. He became power-hungry to the point that he planned to kill Banquo and McDuff’s innocent family.
Malevolent
having or showing a wish to do evil to others.
As can be seen, in the soliloquy, Lady Macbeth is depicted as malevolent, after receiving the letter from Macbeth. She instantly has transgressive thoughts on attaining the crown and calls upon the “spirits” for assistance. She commands dark agents to “come” and “unsex” her, making her more masculine so she can commit malevolent actions.
Regicide
the action of killing a king.
Certainly, Mabeth committing regicide would have shocked the Jacobean audience, as it was seen as one of the worst crimes to commit. It was also seen as a major sin as according to the Great Chain of Being, Kings/Queens were appointed by God.
Mercurial
subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind.
Indeed, it can be seen that Macbeth becomes increasingly mercurial as his guilt begins to overwhelm him. An example of this is when he sees Banquo’s ghost at the banquet.
Treachery
betrayal of trust.
Macbeth commits more treachery even after gaining the crown. He becomes increasingly paranoid that his crown will not be safe, as he recalls that the witches also shared prophecies with Banquo “Though shall get kings, though thou be non”, meaning that Banquo’s descendants will take the crown in the future. Macbeth then sees his friend as a threat and orders Banquo and his sons to be murdered.
I’ve included the downloadable list below. Accompanied with the list is an incomplete table. This is great for educators to use along with the website. You can encourage your students to think of their own sentences using the key vocabulary.
Make sure to go through this extensive GCSE Macbeth vocabulary list consistently. Read, write and repeat to ensure it goes into your long-term memory.
Finally, if you need some advice on how to develop your skills for GCSE English overall, then have a look at my How to get a Grade 9 in GCSE English post.
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