<p>Mr. Go – ENG3U – Shakespearean Drama (Macbeth) Page 1 of 4</p><p>MacBeth Theme Tracker</p><p>Motif (“mo-teef”): a conspicuous element, such as a type of incident, device, reference or formula, which occurs frequently in works of literature (e.g., in MacBeth: blood imagery, references to sleep, references to chaos/disorder). These tend to be more concrete in nature. A series of motifs point to a theme.</p><p>Theme: a general concept or doctrine whether implicit or asserted which an imaginative work is designed to incorporate and make persuasive to the reader. A statement about life that the writer intends to communicate through the literary piece. (See below).</p><p>As you read through the play, keep track of the motifs (recurring images) that support the following themes as they appear. Some scenes have been supplied for you.</p><p>Themes</p><p>#1. There is no escaping one’s fate in life AND We create our destinies through the choices we make in life. Notion of Fate And Destiny. In particular: Act I scenes iii & vii; Act II scene iii; Act II, scene iv.</p><p>#2. The supernatural is often a reflection of: disharmony occurring in nature and the human realm. Notion of the Supernatural. [cf: I (i, iii); II (i, iii); II, iv].</p><p>#3. One’s appearance or public actions may not always reflect one’s true intentions but may, in fact, work to conceal them. Notion of Appearance vs. Reality (public vs. private): [cf: I (i, iii - vii); II (i, ii, iv)].</p><p>#4. One’s ambition of power leads one to become morally corrupt or evil. Notion of Ambition: [cf: I (ii, iii - v, vii); II (i, iv)].</p><p>#5. By nature, humans are always being tempted by evil through their lust for power. The Notion of the Nature of Evil [cf: I (i, v); II (i - iii)]</p><p>#6. To live an honourable life, one must remain loyal to one’s country and Mr. Go – ENG3U – Shakespearean Drama (Macbeth) Page 2 of 4</p><p>King. Notion of Honour and Loyalty. [cf: I (ii, iv, v, vii); II (i, iii). Mr. Go – ENG3U – Shakespearean Drama (Macbeth) Page 3 of 4</p><p>Motifs</p><p>Check out the frequency of various words (use a thesaurus to help find synonyms). What words appear most frequently in the play? What might this imply?</p><p>Word frequency lists: http://www.mta75.org/curriculum/english/Shakes/macalpha.html http://www.eamesharlan.org/tptt/macbeth62.html</p><p> Bird, Insects:</p><p> Insects, birds, Animals: (raven, crickets, owls, crow, eagle, lion, hare)</p><p> Night, darkness, Shrouds, concealment (fog, blanket, night)</p><p> Inclement Weather (storm, thunder, lightning, rain)</p><p> Light, day</p><p> Blood (red, crimson)</p><p> Sleep</p><p> Hands</p><p> Food, Feasting, Hospitality: </p><p> Beauty/Ugliness</p><p> Children, infants (and all related: milk, babe)</p><p> Gender (male, female)</p><p> Celestial objects (Heaven, angels, sun, moon, planets, stars)</p><p> Tears, Water</p><p> Weaponry (dagger, sword, shield, armour)</p><p> Plants, flowers, trees Mr. Go – ENG3U – Shakespearean Drama (Macbeth) Page 4 of 4</p><p> </p>