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Motifs in Macbeth

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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 ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: Motifs in Macbeth


1
Motifs in Macbeth
Fair and Foul
Supernatural
Light and Dark
Sleep
Equivocation
Blood
Nature and Unnatural
Sight and Blindness
Clothing
2
Fair and Foul
  • 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
Blood
  • This motif begins with the entrance of the
    bloody man, the captain who tells of Macbeths
    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
    Macbeths and Lady Macbeths speeches.

4
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.
  • 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
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.

6
Sight and Blindness
  • 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 and Unnatural nature refers to human
    nature.
  • the entire play is about Macbeths 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 Duncans
    death
  • Nature also plays a part when Birnam Wood comes
    to Dunsinane.

8
Clothing
  • 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 Macbeths title as strange
    garments.
  • Macduff refers to Macbeths kingship when he says
    that old robes sit easier than the new.
  • Near the end of the play, Angus refers to
    Macbeths kingship as a garment that hangs loose
    about him, like a giants robe.

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

10
Sleep
  • Sleep is one of the foremost motifs in the play
  • Duncan and servants are asleep when the crimes
    are committed.
  • Macbeths 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 Macbeths defeat, the chambers will be
    safe.
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