Cause of Macdeath
“In a literary work, a motif can be seen as an image, sound, action or other figures that have a symbolic significance and contributes toward the development of theme” (Literary Devices). Shakespeare frequently uses motifs that embody specific themes in many of his literature pieces, including The Tragedy of Macbeth. Three substantial motifs in the play are the motifs of Blood, Clothing, and Darkness. Moreover, these motifs exhibit themes: honor, ranking, and evil.
The first significant motif that is present throughout The Tragedy of Macbeth by Shakespeare is the blood motif. Blood is a very compelling motif because it’s meaning changes since the beginning of the play. “So well thy words become thee as thy wounds/ They smack of honor both” (1.2.46-47). This quote shows that blood used to symbolize honor. However, as the play goes on, readers find that blood changes to epitomize guilt. “If he do bleed/ I’ll gild the faces of the grooms withal/ For it must seem their guilt” (2.2.71-73). Said by Lady Macbeth, this quote reveals the quick …show more content…
This motif is used to convey the theme of evil. The first note of darkness is when Lady Macbeth says “Come, thick night/ & pall [me] in the dunnest smoke of hell” (1.5.57-58). This shows her asking evil spirits to cover her in destructive and wicked intentions. Later, in scene 1 of act 2, “The moon is down… There's husbandry (cheapness) in heaven/ Their candles are all out” (2.1.5-6), Banquo foreshadows Duncan’s murder scene by describing the dark setting. The last relation to the motif of darkness is when Lady Macbeth is sleepwalking in Act 5. When the Gentlewoman is interpreting Lady Macbeth “illness” to the doctor, she mentions that “She has light by/ her continually. ‘Tis her command” (5.1.24-25). By pointing this out, she exposes Lady Macbeth’s fear of darkness, to the readers, despite her constant lust for evil
“In a literary work, a motif can be seen as an image, sound, action or other figures that have a symbolic significance and contributes toward the development of theme” (Literary Devices). Shakespeare frequently uses motifs that embody specific themes in many of his literature pieces, including The Tragedy of Macbeth. Three substantial motifs in the play are the motifs of Blood, Clothing, and Darkness. Moreover, these motifs exhibit themes: honor, ranking, and evil.
The first significant motif that is present throughout The Tragedy of Macbeth by Shakespeare is the blood motif. Blood is a very compelling motif because it’s meaning changes since the beginning of the play. “So well thy words become thee as thy wounds/ They smack of honor both” (1.2.46-47). This quote shows that blood used to symbolize honor. However, as the play goes on, readers find that blood changes to epitomize guilt. “If he do bleed/ I’ll gild the faces of the grooms withal/ For it must seem their guilt” (2.2.71-73). Said by Lady Macbeth, this quote reveals the quick …show more content…
This motif is used to convey the theme of evil. The first note of darkness is when Lady Macbeth says “Come, thick night/ & pall [me] in the dunnest smoke of hell” (1.5.57-58). This shows her asking evil spirits to cover her in destructive and wicked intentions. Later, in scene 1 of act 2, “The moon is down… There's husbandry (cheapness) in heaven/ Their candles are all out” (2.1.5-6), Banquo foreshadows Duncan’s murder scene by describing the dark setting. The last relation to the motif of darkness is when Lady Macbeth is sleepwalking in Act 5. When the Gentlewoman is interpreting Lady Macbeth “illness” to the doctor, she mentions that “She has light by/ her continually. ‘Tis her command” (5.1.24-25). By pointing this out, she exposes Lady Macbeth’s fear of darkness, to the readers, despite her constant lust for evil