Common Motifs In Macbeth

n William Shakespeare's, Macbeth is a war hero in 11th century England who becomes king, but not without sin and develops a tragic fault that becomes his demise. Throughout the story, a series of events have created a domino effect, ultimately cutting his thread of life in half. In the beginning, Macbeth under the influence of unchecked power, takes actions that have serious and devastating consequences for himself and for other characters in the play. Common motifs throughout the story include violence, and blood. These two motifs symbolize death, sin, and destruction. Macbeth and his wife Lady Macbeth both have blood on their hands and in the end guilt eats them alive. Once Macbeth has committed an act in which he uses power for negative

The rebelling nature of wind and lightning indicates the disruption within the natural order of society. It makes it seem as if the weather is upset with Macbeth’s actions. In many Shakespearean plays(including this one), rebelling nature shows a departure from accepted political and moral order. Later on, blood begins to foreshadow, and eventually symbolize the emotional guilt that they faced from their actions aside from the power they obtain. Shakespeare uses guilt to bring out the most symbolism from the motif blood. Macbeth said for example, "Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?"(Act II Scene II), “meaning that he wondered if he would ever be able to forget the dastardly deed that he had committed”(Manila). This demonstrates Macbeth's guilt because he is trying to get rid of the blood of King Duncan on his hands that he so desperately regretted shortly after, but it was too late the three witches prophecies have spiraled Macbeth's life out of control. Throughout Macbeth Shakespeare used motifs to foreshadow death for example, when Lennox and Macduff arrive at Macbeth's house they apologized for being late due to the night being so unruly signifying a change in the natural order. Also, Lennox says “the obscure bird calmours the livelong night” which is “signifying another change in natural order(Turner).” These changes in natural events all occured after Macbeth murdered King Duncan and soon became deeply