Theme, Symbolism and motifs in Shakespeare's Macbeth

1. MACBETH
Themes, motifs and symbolism in

2. Theme
 Theme is the universal idea that is explored
in any given work. A universal idea is one that
is known in all cultures. Some examples are
corruption, compassion, fear, victory, conflict,
ambition, pride, etc.

3. Theme…
 There are recurring themes throughout all
literature in all cultures, making them
universal. No matter where we go or what we
may read, there is a theme in the story, a
lesson to be learned, some wisdom to be
gleaned.
 For example, the themes in Romeo & Juliet
are love and passion and how love can
promote violence or division.

4. Motif
 Motif is different from theme because they
help to support the theme.They are recurring
structures, contrasts or literary devices that
help support, explain and develop the text’s
theme.
 For instance, the motifs in Romeo & Juliet are
light & dark and opposite points of view.

5. Symbol
 You learned a long time ago that a symbol is
something that usually represents something
else. More specifically, symbols are people,
objects, figures, or colors that represent
abstract ideas. For example, a red rose
usually symbolizes love, a white rose, purity.
 Likewise, as in Hamlet, rosemary represents
remembrance, as Ophelia declared.

6. Your mission:
 As you read through both Sir Gawain & the
Green Knight and Macbeth, make note of the
themes, motifs, symbols so you can evaluate,
compare and contrast the two stories.