Reoccurring Motifs In Macbeth

The Tragedy of Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, is a story which portrays the ambition and violence that accompany an individual’s thirst for power. One of the literary elements that Shakespeare uses in his play is reoccurring motifs. These motifs are an element, idea, event, or theme within a work of literature. Authors use Motifs to create a certain feeling within their book or story. Specifically, the motifs in Macbeth are employed to enunciate key elements, explore new ideas, and decipher the puzzles of English Literature. Shakespeare displays ambition through the reoccurring motifs of predictions, gender, hallucinations, and bloody violence.

The first example of ambition is quickly revealed through the prophesies which are disclosed throughout the play. These predictions cause certain characters, especially Macbeth, to behave differently than they normally would. The three witches’ prediction revealing the future of Macbeth and Banquo created a deep desire inside of Macbeth. {Insert Quote about witches’ prophesies} If Macbeth would not have been told that he was to be King, Duncan’s death could have been avoided. When Macbeth learns that Banquo’s sons would become king, and

There are two types of violence in Macbeth, and they are both necessary for the theatrical development of the play. The first type that appears is greedy violence. This is shown when Macbeth kills Duncan due to his extreme ambition to have the throne. Additional occurrences of greedy violence are displayed when Macbeth kills Banquo, and when Macduff’s family is slaughtered. The second type of violence in the play is redeeming, or necessary. When Macduff slays Macbeth due to his tyrannical behavior, or when Macbeth kills Macdonwald to protect the empire. Whether an act is greedy or redeeming violence, it plays an important part in the ambitious progression of the