Motif

Review: What is a theme? An idea, message, or lesson incorporated throughout a literary work, usually involving some on how the world works or fails to work. Themes are often related to the author’s purpose in writing the literary work. Theme differs from the subject or topic of a literary work in that it involves a statement or opinion about the topic

Questions to help locate a theme Does the text examine some common life experience or problem? Does the text offer any solutions or answers to common problems? How do the other elements in the story work together? What ideas or observations about life do they reveal?

How is theme presented? Often, stories suggest a theme through the details of: Characters Plot Setting Point of view Themes of most literature have to do with emotions and experiences that make us human—fear, courage, loss, love, etc.

Examples of theme So how does this connect to Motif? The Corrupting Power of Unchecked Ambition The Relationship Between Cruelty and Masculinity The Difference Between Kingship and Tyranny So how does this connect to Motif?

What is a motif? Motifs are recurring structures, contrasts, or literary devices that can help to develop and inform the text’s major themes A motif may be: a literary element used repeatedly in one text two contrasting elements in a work (good and evil) a literary element used over time in various texts, providing a useful example of a cultural "constant"

Why use a motif? It allows us to see the main points and themes Helps us understand what the author is expressing Helps us interpret the work more accurately

Examples of motif Hallucinations Violence Prophecy Sleep and Sleeplessness Nature Blood Light and Dark Sight and Blindness Equivocation Clothing

Motifs in Macbeth Blood Fair and Foul Supernatural Light and Dark Sleep Motifs in Macbeth =Equivocation= Blood Nature and Unnatural Sight and Blindness Clothing

So how is Theme different from Motif? Motifs are things that reoccur in the story. Example: Good and evil, light and dark, blood, rain Themes: The big idea and the message of the story. Motifs help you find the “big idea.”

This motif is a paradox! (opposite words) Fair and Foul This motif is a paradox! (opposite words) How can something be fair (good) and foul (bad) at the same time? As the play begins: the weather is foul but the day has brought success to Macbeth. Witches are evil (foul) but they bring good news (fair) the battle has been won but life has been lost.

Blood This motif begins with the entrance of the “bloody man,” the captain who tells of Macbeth’s bravery in Act I, Scene 2. It continues as Macbeth sees the dagger, at the death of Duncan, and throughout the play as several characters are killed. The idea that the blood of a murder is not easily washed from the hands is evident in both Macbeth’s and Lady Macbeth’s speeches.

Darkness is the prevalent atmosphere in the entire play. Light and Dark Darkness is the prevalent atmosphere in the entire play. Almost all the scenes take place at night or in a dark place. The murder of King Duncan takes place at night.

=Equivocation= This theme is closely related to the "Fair and Foul" theme, because to equivocate is to lie by saying something that sounds fair, but which has a hidden, foul meaning.

Sight and Blindness Macbeth cannot see his own downfall in the making. He also tries to hide his crimes even from himself. Macbeth sees the dagger that is not really there.

Nature and Unnatural Nature and Unnatural – “nature” refers to human nature. the entire play is about Macbeth’s unnaturalness. It is unnatural, as well, for Lady Macbeth, a woman, to be considering murder. Nature is disturbed when Duncan is murdered. Unnatural night occurs the day after Duncan’s death

Supernatural Shakespeare incorporates the supernatural throughout the play: the first scene where the witches appear the next appearance and sudden disappearance of the witches the dagger that appears to Macbeth seems to be of supernatural origin

Sleep Sleep is one of the foremost motifs in the play: Duncan and servants are asleep when the crimes are committed. Macbeth’s guilt makes him hear “Macbeth has murdered sleep.” After Macbeth kills King Duncan, he says “Macbeth shall sleep no more.”