What is pathetic fallacy?

Pathetic fallacy is a literary technique in which human emotions are personified in inanimate objects, typically in weather. For example in a section of Macbeth it is a particularly stormy night, the thunder and lightening personifing the evil of the play, or it perhaps exhibits a more celestial reaction to the deeds carried out by Macbeth and the rest fo the characters.

HP
Answered by Hannah P. English Literature tutor

7140 Views

See similar English Literature GCSE tutors

Related English Literature GCSE answers

All answers ▸

I'm finding it hard to achieve high marks in my essays, how can I make sure I get the highest possible marks?


How do you revise a whole novel for a closed book exam?


How should I tackle an unseen poem during the exam?


What are the essential components for a well-structured English (literature) essay?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning