1. Motif

2. What is a Motif? What are some examples of Motifs?
Motif is a reoccurring detail, structure, contrast, or literary device that helps develop the texts major themes.
Think of it as a thread connecting everything together or like breadcrumbs left by the author to turn your attention towards the main theme.
What are some examples of Motifs?
Colors
Objects
Locations
Situations
Ideas
Statements

3. A Motif is not a Theme Theme- is an idea.
Motif- is an element that stands for, or symbolizes that idea.
The Motif develops the theme.
Example:
American Flag used several times throughout a movie. The movie is about standing together as Americans
What is the motif?
What is the theme?

4. What are some examples of Motifs in Macbeth?
Birds & Animals
Weapons
Sleep
Nature & Weather
The Supernatural
Numbers 3

5. The word blood in mentioned over 42 times in Macbeth!
Blood as a Motif in Macbeth
The word blood in mentioned over 42 times in Macbeth!
Blood, in Macbeth, is used to develop the themes of heroism, treachery, and guilt.
Macbeth is a brave honored soldier, but as the play progresses, he becomes a treacherous person who has become identified with death and bloodshed and shows his guilt in different forms.

6. To the text…
With a partner find a quote from Macbeth pertaining to the blood motif.
Answer the following questions on a sheet of paper
to be turned in with you and your partners name on it:
Which theme of blood as heroism, treachery,
or guilt does this quote pertain to?
2. How does the mention of blood help develop this theme?

7. "Which smok'd with bloody execution“
Blood as Heroism
"What bloody man is that?"
This is symbolic of the brave fighter who been injured in a valiant battle for his country. In the next passage, in which the sergeant says,
"Which smok'd with bloody execution“
He is referring to Macbeth's braveness in which his sword is covered in the hot blood of the enemy.

8. "on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood"
Blood as treachery & treason
“Make thick my blood; / Stop up the access and passage to remorse"
Thin blood was considered wholesome, and it was thought that poison made blood thick. Lady Macbeth wants to poison her own soul, so that she can kill without remorse.
"on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood"
This means that there is blood on the handle and spots of blood on the handle. This is implying that the dagger was viciously and maliciously used on someone. Shakespeare most likely put this in as premonition of murder and death to come later in the story.

9. Blood as guilt
"Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood / Clean from my hand?" And he answers his own question: "No, this my hand will rather / The multitudinous seas incarnadine, / Making the green one red"
Just before the ending of the play, Macbeth has Macduff at his mercy, and lets him go, because of his guilt. He shows that he is guilty, when he says "But get thee back, my soul is too much charg'd with blood of thine already.". Of which, Macduff replies, "I have no words, my voice is in my sword, thou bloodier villain than terms can give thee out."
“Never shake thy gory locks at me!”

10. Blood as guilt Lady Macbeth
"Out damned spot! Out I say! One: two: why then 'ne'er be clean?" she asks, and then she is devastated when she realizes that the blood will never come out: "Here's the smell of the blood still: all the perfumes tis time to do't: hell is murky. Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?"
As the sleepwalking scene continues, Lady Macbeth twice more complains that she can't get the blood off of her hands. "What, will these hands of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. O, O, O!"

11. Blood restored as Heroism
After the death of certain charactersf, the symbolic theme of blood swings back to what it was at the beginning of the play. It is the symbol of honor for other characters at this time.

12. Blood restored as Heroism
After the death of Macbeth at the hands of Macduff, the
symbolic theme of blood swings back to what it was at the
beginning of the play. It is the symbol of honor to
Malcolm this time. The death of Macbeth is honored feat
that Macduff is congratulated for.