Motif - Revision history

Glucas: Cleaned up a sloppy entry. Still needs more work. Perhaps leitmotif should have its own entry.

2006-03-27T18:43:00Z

Cleaned up a sloppy entry. Still needs more work. Perhaps leitmotif should have its own entry.

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:43, 27 March 2006
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	A recurring element in a work of literature~~. It is usually a dominant idea or theme and can be an object, setting~~, or ~~situation~~ that ~~has some symbolic significance~~ and ~~is seen several times within the story.~~		A recurring element in a work of literature, or a simple element that acts as a convention to a certain type of literature (Harmon and Holman 322). For example, in Shakespeare's ''Macbeth'', hallucinations, violence, and prophecy all act as motifs, as they recur thoroughout the text, providing an important narrative function.

	~~''Motifs'' are found in many literary works~~. For example, in Shakespeare's ''Macbeth'', hallucinations, violence, and prophecy all act as motifs~~. Also~~, ~~in Charlotte Bronte's ''Jane Eyre''~~, ~~the recurring presence of fire and ice is a motif~~.

	The name ''Ubi Sunt'' is given to motifs used in medieval poetry. Another type of motif is ''Carpe Diem'', which means "seize the day." It is a common theme in European lyric poetry, "in which the speaker of a poem argues (often to a hesitant virgin) that since life is short, pleasure should be enjoyed while there is still time" (Baldick). Though in many works, usually Christian literature, it instead warns us to "prepare our souls for death, rather than our bodies for bed" (Baldick).		The name ''Ubi Sunt'' is given to motifs used in medieval poetry. Another type of motif is ''Carpe Diem'', which means "seize the day." It is a common theme in European lyric poetry, "in which the speaker of a poem argues (often to a hesitant virgin) that since life is short, pleasure should be enjoyed while there is still time" (Baldick). Though in many works, usually Christian literature, it instead warns us to "prepare our souls for death, rather than our bodies for bed" (Baldick).

	A ''leitmotif'' is a leading motif. The term was first used by Hans von Wolzngen "to designate a musical theme associated throughout a whole work with a particular object, character, or emotion" (Cuddon) It may also refer to an author's favorite or most commonly used themes.		A ''leitmotif'' is German, meaning a leading motif. The term was first used by Hans von Wolzngen "to designate a musical theme associated throughout a whole work with a particular object, character, or emotion" (Cuddon). It may also refer to an author's favorite or most commonly used themes or images.

	==Etymology==		==Etymology==
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	*The Italian form of the word, ''motivo'', means "the subject of a painting, reason, or cause"; and the Medieval Latin word ''motivummotive'' means "impulse" or "reason" (Merriam-Webster Encyclopedia of Literature).		*The Italian form of the word, ''motivo'', means "the subject of a painting, reason, or cause"; and the Medieval Latin word ''motivummotive'' means "impulse" or "reason" (Merriam-Webster Encyclopedia of Literature).

	*The term ''leitmotif'' is German in origin.

	==Works Cited==		==Works Cited==
	~~Phillips, Brian and Douthat, Ross. SparkNote on ''Macbeth''. 21 Feb. 2006 <[http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/macbeth/ http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/macbeth/]>.~~

	~~Phillips, Brian. SparkNote on ''Jane Eyre''. 21 Feb. 2006 <[http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/janeeyre/ http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/janeeyre/]>.~~

	~~"Motif." Reference. Columbia University Press. 20 Feb. 2006 <[http://www.reference.com/browse/columbia/motif1 http://www.reference.com/browse/columbia/motif1]>.~~

	~~"Motif." Merriam-Webster Online. 21 Feb. 2006. 21 Feb. 2006 <[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motif http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motif]>.~~

	~~Flanagan, Mark. "Motif." About. 2006. 20 Feb. 2006 <[http://contemporarylit.about.com/cs/literaryterms/g/motif.htm http://contemporarylit.about.com/cs/literaryterms/g/motif.htm]>.~~

	~~"Motif." ''The Penguin Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory''. Ed. J. A. Cuddon. 4th ed. London, UK: Penguin Group, 1999.~~

	"Motif." ''Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of Literature''. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, 1995. Literature Resource Center. Thomson Gale. Macon State Coll. Lib, Macon, GA. 23 Feb. 2006 <http://galenet.galegroup.com/>.

	Baldick, Chris. "Motif." ''The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms''. Oxford University Press, 1990. Literature Online Reference Edition. ~~ProQuest Information~~ and ~~Learning~~. ~~Macon State Coll~~. ~~Lib~~., ~~Macon, GA~~. 23 Feb. 2006 <http://~~lionreference~~.~~chadwyck~~.com/>.		*Baldick, Chris. "Motif." ''The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms''. Oxford University Press, 1990. Literature Online Reference Edition.
			*Cuddon, J.A. ''The Penguin Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory''. 4th ed. London, UK: Penguin Group, 1999.
			*Flanagan, Mark. "Motif." About. 2006. 20 Feb. 2006 <[http://contemporarylit.about.com/cs/literaryterms/g/motif.htm http://contemporarylit.about.com/cs/literaryterms/g/motif.htm]>.

Lbrown at 01:40, 24 February 2006

2006-02-24T01:40:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:40, 23 February 2006
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	''Motifs'' are found in many literary works. For example, in Shakespeare's ''Macbeth'', hallucinations, violence, and prophecy all act as motifs. Also, in Charlotte Bronte's ''Jane Eyre'', the recurring presence of fire and ice is a motif.		''Motifs'' are found in many literary works. For example, in Shakespeare's ''Macbeth'', hallucinations, violence, and prophecy all act as motifs. Also, in Charlotte Bronte's ''Jane Eyre'', the recurring presence of fire and ice is a motif.

	The name ''Ubi Sunt'' is given to ~~more common~~ motifs used in medieval poetry. Another ~~common~~ motif is ''Carpe Diem'', which means "seize the day." It is a common theme in European lyric poetry, "in which the speaker of a poem argues (often to a hesitant virgin) that since life is short, pleasure should be enjoyed while there is still time" (Baldick). Though in many works, usually Christian literature, it instead warns us to "prepare our souls for death, rather than our bodies for bed" (Baldick).		The name ''Ubi Sunt'' is given to motifs used in medieval poetry. Another type of motif is ''Carpe Diem'', which means "seize the day." It is a common theme in European lyric poetry, "in which the speaker of a poem argues (often to a hesitant virgin) that since life is short, pleasure should be enjoyed while there is still time" (Baldick). Though in many works, usually Christian literature, it instead warns us to "prepare our souls for death, rather than our bodies for bed" (Baldick).

	A ''leitmotif'' is a leading motif. The term was first used by Hans von Wolzngen "to designate a musical theme associated throughout a whole work with a particular object, character, or emotion" (Cuddon) It may also refer to an author's favorite or most commonly used themes.		A ''leitmotif'' is a leading motif. The term was first used by Hans von Wolzngen "to designate a musical theme associated throughout a whole work with a particular object, character, or emotion" (Cuddon) It may also refer to an author's favorite or most commonly used themes.

Lbrown at 00:56, 24 February 2006

2006-02-24T00:56:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:56, 23 February 2006
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	A recurring element in a work of literature. It is usually a dominant idea or theme and can be an object, setting, or situation that has some symbolic significance and is seen several times within the story. For example, in Shakespeare's ''Macbeth'', hallucinations, violence, and prophecy all act as motifs. Also, in Charlotte Bronte's ''Jane Eyre'', the recurring presence of fire and ice is a motif.		A recurring element in a work of literature. It is usually a dominant idea or theme and can be an object, setting, or situation that has some symbolic significance and is seen several times within the story.

			''Motifs'' are found in many literary works. For example, in Shakespeare's ''Macbeth'', hallucinations, violence, and prophecy all act as motifs. Also, in Charlotte Bronte's ''Jane Eyre'', the recurring presence of fire and ice is a motif.

			The name ''Ubi Sunt'' is given to more common motifs used in medieval poetry. Another common motif is ''Carpe Diem'', which means "seize the day." It is a common theme in European lyric poetry, "in which the speaker of a poem argues (often to a hesitant virgin) that since life is short, pleasure should be enjoyed while there is still time" (Baldick). Though in many works, usually Christian literature, it instead warns us to "prepare our souls for death, rather than our bodies for bed" (Baldick).

	A ''leitmotif'' is a leading motif. The term was first used by Hans von Wolzngen "to designate a musical theme associated throughout a whole work with a particular object, character, or emotion" (Cuddon) It may also refer to an author's favorite or most commonly used themes.		A ''leitmotif'' is a leading motif. The term was first used by Hans von Wolzngen "to designate a musical theme associated throughout a whole work with a particular object, character, or emotion" (Cuddon) It may also refer to an author's favorite or most commonly used themes.

Lbrown: /* Works Cited */

2006-02-24T00:44:00Z

Works Cited

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:44, 23 February 2006
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	"Motif." ''Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of Literature''. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, 1995. Literature Resource Center. Thomson Gale. Macon State Coll. Lib, Macon, GA. 23 Feb. 2006 <http://galenet.galegroup.com/>.		"Motif." ''Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of Literature''. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, 1995. Literature Resource Center. Thomson Gale. Macon State Coll. Lib, Macon, GA. 23 Feb. 2006 <http://galenet.galegroup.com/>.

			Baldick, Chris. "Motif." ''The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms''. Oxford University Press, 1990. Literature Online Reference Edition. ProQuest Information and Learning. Macon State Coll. Lib., Macon, GA. 23 Feb. 2006 <http://lionreference.chadwyck.com/>.

Lbrown: /* Works Cited */

2006-02-24T00:39:10Z

Works Cited

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:39, 23 February 2006
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	"Motif." ''The Penguin Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory''. Ed. J. A. Cuddon. 4th ed. London, UK: Penguin Group, 1999.		"Motif." ''The Penguin Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory''. Ed. J. A. Cuddon. 4th ed. London, UK: Penguin Group, 1999.

	"Motif." Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of Literature. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, 1995. Literature Resource Center. Thomson Gale. Macon State Coll. Lib, Macon, GA. 23 Feb. 2006 <http://galenet.galegroup.com/>.		"Motif." ''Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of Literature''. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, 1995. Literature Resource Center. Thomson Gale. Macon State Coll. Lib, Macon, GA. 23 Feb. 2006 <http://galenet.galegroup.com/>.

Lbrown: /* Etymology */

2006-02-24T00:38:18Z

Etymology

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:38, 23 February 2006
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	==Etymology==		==Etymology==

	The term ''motif'' is French ~~in origin~~; ~~however,~~ the term ''leitmotif'' is German.		*The term ''motif'' is French.

			*The Italian form of the word, ''motivo'', means "the subject of a painting, reason, or cause"; and the Medieval Latin word ''motivummotive'' means "impulse" or "reason" (Merriam-Webster Encyclopedia of Literature).

			*The term ''leitmotif'' is German in origin.

	==Works Cited==		==Works Cited==

Lbrown: /* Works Cited */

2006-02-24T00:32:40Z

Works Cited

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:32, 23 February 2006
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	"Motif." ''The Penguin Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory''. Ed. J. A. Cuddon. 4th ed. London, UK: Penguin Group, 1999.		"Motif." ''The Penguin Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory''. Ed. J. A. Cuddon. 4th ed. London, UK: Penguin Group, 1999.

	"Motif." Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of Literature. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, 1995. Literature Resource Center. Thomson Gale. Macon State Coll. Lib, Macon, GA.		"Motif." Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of Literature. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, 1995. Literature Resource Center. Thomson Gale. Macon State Coll. Lib, Macon, GA. 23 Feb. 2006 <http://galenet.galegroup.com/>.
	23 Feb. 2006 <http://galenet.galegroup.com/>.

Lbrown: /* Works Cited */

2006-02-24T00:32:29Z

Works Cited

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:32, 23 February 2006
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	"Motif." ''The Penguin Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory''. Ed. J. A. Cuddon. 4th ed. London, UK: Penguin Group, 1999.		"Motif." ''The Penguin Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory''. Ed. J. A. Cuddon. 4th ed. London, UK: Penguin Group, 1999.

	"Motif." Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of Literature. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, 1995. Literature Resource Center. Thomson Gale. Macon State Coll. Lib, Macon, GA. 23 Feb. 2006 <http://galenet.galegroup.com/>.		"Motif." Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of Literature. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, 1995. Literature Resource Center. Thomson Gale. Macon State Coll. Lib, Macon, GA.
			23 Feb. 2006 <http://galenet.galegroup.com/>.

Lbrown: /* Works Cited */

2006-02-24T00:32:03Z

Works Cited

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:32, 23 February 2006
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	"Motif." ''The Penguin Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory''. Ed. J. A. Cuddon. 4th ed. London, UK: Penguin Group, 1999.		"Motif." ''The Penguin Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory''. Ed. J. A. Cuddon. 4th ed. London, UK: Penguin Group, 1999.

			"Motif." Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of Literature. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, 1995. Literature Resource Center. Thomson Gale. Macon State Coll. Lib, Macon, GA. 23 Feb. 2006 <http://galenet.galegroup.com/>.

Lbrown: /* Etymology */

2006-02-22T01:49:10Z

Etymology

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:49, 21 February 2006
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	==Etymology==		==Etymology==

	The term ''motif'' is French in origin~~. However~~, the term ''leitmotif'' is German.		The term ''motif'' is French in origin; however, the term ''leitmotif'' is German.

	==Works Cited==		==Works Cited==