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Motifs in Macbeth

This motif is a paradox!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. Macbeth is a hero but his ambition will be his downfall; the battle has been won but life has been lost. . Fair and Foul.

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Motifs in Macbeth

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    1. Motifs in Macbeth

    2. This motif is a paradox! 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. Macbeth is a hero but his ambition will be his downfall; the battle has been won but life has been lost.

    3. 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 cannot be washed from the hands is evident in both Macbeth’s and Lady Macbeth’s speeches.

    4. Darkness is the prevalent atmosphere in the entire play. Almost all the scenes take place at night or in a dark place. Macbeth charges the stars to “hide [their] fires” so his murderous thoughts will be hidden. Lady Macbeth calls on night to come “palled in the dunnest smoke of hell.”

    5. 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.

    6. Like Oedipus, 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. Lady Macbeth sees the “damned spot” that will not wash away.

    7. 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 Nature also plays a part when Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane.

    8. Clothing is a metaphor for identity in several scenes. Macbeth refuses to believe his new title and first introduces the metaphor in Act I, scene 3 where he calls his title “borrowed robes.” Banquo also refers to Macbeth’s title as “strange garments.” Macduff refers to Macbeth’s kingship when he says that “old robes sit easier than the new.” Near the end of the play, Angus refers to Macbeth’s kingship as a garment that “hangs loose about him, like a giant’s robe.”

    9. 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 the use of camouflage in the final act contrasts the supernatural happenings in the rest of the play

    10. 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.” In III, 6, 34 the lord speaks of Scotland itself not sleeping until Macbeth is taken out. Lady Macbeth cannot sleep. She sleepwalks and dreams of the evil things she and Macbeth have done. Malcolm refers to sleep when he mentions that after Macbeth’s defeat, the “chambers will be safe.”

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