Therefore, this motif becomes highly significant. It is a sort of dichotomy of images that creates a contrast between the good and the evil and sets the mood of the play. However, it is not very much clear what role is played by the light. On the other hand, she refers to light in the sense of weakness or fragility of the women. The darkness of the night and the darkness of the heart of Lady Macbeth has been given as representatives of evil. When the witches first appear, Banquo warns his friend Macbeth saying they could be the “instruments of darkness.” This motif again emerges when Lady Macbeth is about to kill King Duncan. Motif #8Īlthough the motif of light and darkness is pervasive and dominant in Macbeth, it runs with the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. In other words, all the acts become doings of human beings, and not any incitement of supernatural beings. However, it is quite obscure at times when human beings are involved and witches recede into the background. This continues with pauses wherever the witches appear, or their name echoes. The presence of two witches is a strong evidence. ![]() The motif of equivocation starts from the very first line of the play, Macbeth. However, as an essential ingredient of our physical living, blood can be “thick” or “thin” as Lady Macbeth often makes reference to it, according to the thinking of the person. However, this word has appeared in Lady Macbeth’s utterance, who says “Who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him.” It seems a very cruel utterance. This word first appears when King Duncan is murdered. She clearly says in the second act that she has heard “Sleep no more.” Motif #6Īlthough blood is not such a significant theme, it is, however, a significant motif in the play. In other words, it shows that the enormity of the crime has devoid Lady Macbeth of her sleep. This motif is signifying how weak and frail creature loses her sleep due to the crimes committed by her. It happens that Lady Macbeth, who appears in almost every other theme and motif, is again in the motif of sleeplessness. It becomes recurrent when different characters express their desire for sleep. Sleep is also a significant motif running throughout the play. Moreover, the situation is always bad when the witches meet. The symbols of thunder, lightning, rain, and bad storms are indicators of turbulent circumstances in Scotland. It is quite surprising that weather does not become significant though the witch sisters announce that they would be meeting again in a story weather. It is stated that weather is a way of predicting future course of action or circumstances. In other words, it shows that even patriarchy is under the spell of feminism. It is also that Lady Macbeth plays her role until the end of the play even chiding Macbeth “Why have you left the chamber?” to ensure his protection. Then when Macbeth does not take courage to move forward, it is Lady Macbeth who urges him. It is a result of a spell woven by three witches which are female in gender. Gender has played an important role by instigating Macbeth. Motif #3Īlthough very difficult to trace, the third recurrent and dominant motif in Macbeth. ![]() This leads to a spiral of violence that ends with Macbeth’s musings. Banquo, along with his children, is also murdered. ![]() However, the actual violence starts when the King Duncan is killed and Macbeth immediately kills the guards. In fact, the play starts with the violent atmosphere where three witch sisters appear to weave a spell. It occurs due to the predictions of the witches. Motif #2Īlthough violence is not the dominant motif, it is still an ensuring motif. In fact, these predictions occurring at different times make the play move forward with a fast pace. Whatever action they take, its basis is the same prediction, and its attendant features that they will have to do nothing. All the actions of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are based on these predictions. They make a prediction that Macbeth shall be the king, and that his wife will be the queen. The witches appear in the first act and then in the third and last. One of the powerful motifs in the play is the prediction of the witches.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |