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Motif: Difference between revisions
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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. 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 ''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. | |||
==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
The term is French in origin. | The term ''motif'' is French in origin. However, the term ''leitmotif'' is German. | ||
==Works Cited== | ==Works Cited== | ||
[http:// | Phillips, Brian and Douthat, Ross. SparkNote on ''Macbeth''. 21 Feb. 2006 <[http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/macbeth/]>. | ||
[http:// | Phillips, Brian. SparkNote on ''Jane Eyre''. 21 Feb. 2006 [<http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/janeeyre/]>. | ||
[http://www.reference.com/browse/columbia/motif1 Reference] | "Motif." Reference. Columbia University Press. 20 Feb. 2006 <[http://www.reference.com/browse/columbia/motif1 Reference]>. | ||
[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motif Merriam-Webster] | "Motif." Merriam-Webster Online. 21 Feb. 2006. 21 Feb. 2006 <[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motif Merriam-Webster]>. | ||
[http://contemporarylit.about.com/cs/literaryterms/g/motif.htm | Flanagan, Mark. "Motif." About. 2006. 20 Feb. 2006 <[http://contemporarylit.about.com/cs/literaryterms/g/motif.htm]>. | ||
"Motif." The Penguin Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory. Ed. J. A. | "Motif." ''The Penguin Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory''. Ed. J. A. Cuddon. 4th ed. London, UK: Penguin Group, 1999. | ||