MOTIFS AND THEMES IN MACBETH

SYMBOLS VS. MOTIFS

1.  A symbol is an object, a picture, a written word, or a sound that is used to represent something. A motif is an image, spoken or written word, sound, act, or another visual or structural device that is used to develop a theme.

2. A symbol can be repeated once or twice, while a motif is constantly repeated.

3. A symbol can help in the understanding of an idea or thing, while a motif can help indicate what the literary work or piece is all about.

4. The meaning of a symbol depends on its history and purpose while the meaning of a motif depends on how it is being used in a certain literary work.

STUDYING THEMES AND MOTIFS IN MACBETH

Instructions : Each team will be given one Act to focus on. Use a Google Drive Document so you can all work together and then one person can post the work to the class blog.

Your task is to find quotes from the Act that support the themes and the motifs and to explain these quotes. Please do your job properly as the entire class is depending on you! 

Not every act will have all the different themes or motifs apparent. You may have 2 or 3 quotes for one theme and none for another. In total, you should be able to find and explain between 7-9 quotes per act.



USE THE FOLLOWING TEMPLATE WHEN POSTING TO THE BLOG:


ACT 1 - Themes

Ambition 

Quote 1:

Macbeth: I have no spur to prick the sides of my of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself and falls on th'other. (Sc 7, line 26)

Explanation: The only thing motivating Macbeth is his ambition to become king . Ambition is what makes people rush ahead of themselves towards disaster.
Etc.

ACT 1- Motifs

Sleep

Quote 4: ...

Etc.

THEMES:

1.Ambition and the devastation which follows when ambition oversteps moral boundaries

2. Appearances vs. Reality and how people and events are often not as they seem

3. Fate and Free Will, and the extent to which we control our own destinies

4. Violence, and how every violent act, even those done for selfless reasons, seems to lead inevitably to the next

5. Gender Roles

MOTIFS:

1.  Blood: representing evil plans and consequences of overarching ambition

2. Sleep: Sleep patterns are disturbed when the moral order is shattered

3. Visions: representing the extensions of a guilty conscience

4. Dead children: The break down of family lines is symbolic and recurring and demonstrates how far Macbeth is willing to go to achieve what he desires

5. The weather/nature: Violent disruptions in nature parallel the order in society.

6. Prophecy