Why use a motif?

1. 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

2. 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.

3. Motif

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

5. Review: What is a theme? • An idea, message, or lesson incorporated throughout a literary work.. • Themes are often related to the author’s purpose for writing

6. Examples of themes in Macbeth • Unchecked ambition and greed can lead to corruption • The Relationship Between Cruelty and Masculinity • The Difference Between Kingship and Tyranny

7. What is a motif? • Motifs are recurring structures, contrasts, or literary devices that can help to develop 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"

8. So how is Theme different from Motif? Motifs are things that reoccur in the story, but they do not give a message. They provide hints to the messages. Example: Good and evil, light and dark, blood, rain Themes are the big ideas and the message of the story. Motifs help you find the “big idea.”

9. Fair and Foul This motif is a contrast of good (fair) and bad (foul). This motif is a paradox! (opposite words) • 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.

10. Blood The shedding of innocent blood runs throughout the play. Example: This motif begins with the entrance of the “bloody man,” the captain who tells of Macbeth’s bravery in Act I, Scene 2.

11. Violence • The play starts off with war • Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are guilty of murder

12. Prophecy • The witches start the play with 3 prophecies. • Macbeth will be Thane of Cawdor • Macbeth will be King • Banquo will be father of kings • The witches then show more prophecies towards the end of the play

13. 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.

14. Hallucinations Hallucinations are things that you hear, see, feel, taste, or smell, but it’s not really there. • After Macbeth kills Duncan he “sees” a floating dagger. • After Banquo is killed, he “sees” Banquo’s ghost • Lady Macbeth constantly “sees” blood on her hands

15. Supernatural • Supernatural- forces beyond scientific explanation or nature. 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

16. Sleep and Sleeplessness Sleep is one of the most consistent 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.”

17. Motifs in Macbeth • Fair and Foul • Blood • Violence • Prophecy • Light and Dark • Hallucinations • Supernatural • Sleep and Sleeplessness