Full Answer
What is a motif?
Definition and 10 Concrete Examples from Literature Let's admit it: “What is a motif and how do you use it?” is a much less sexy question than, “What’s your book about?” But it’s just as necessary. If the theme of a book is its heartbeat, then motifs are the vessels that keep the blood coursing through the narrative.
What are themes and motifs in literature?
In contrast, a motif reinforces the theme through the repetition of a certain narrative element. As you may have already guessed, themes and motifs in literature are devoted partners in crime. To give you an easily digestible example, let’s take Shakespeare’s Sonnet 24. The theme of this sonnet is arguably that “love is skin-deep.”
What is an example of a motif in a sonnet?
To give you an easily digestible example, let’s take Shakespeare’s Sonnet 24. The theme of this sonnet is arguably that “love is skin-deep.” One of its main motifs is sight, which is made clear through the recurring imagery of eyes.
How can I use motifs in my novel or short story?
Here are four ways to help you apply them in your novel or short story. Click to tweet! Planning your motifs is as simple as planning your themes — and then taking it one step further. Motifs generally revolve around “big picture” concepts, so you need to first examine your central ideas and characters.
Is light a motif?
Sometimes a motif can also be a study on contrast, like the theme of good versus evil, or "light and dark." A series of symbols that could represent this motif might be: Moon shadows (shades of darkness)
What is the difference between a motif and leitmotif?
Leitmotif is a term originating from opera, where it referred to a recurring melody that played along with a character or allusion to a theme whenever one or the other appeared on stage. Once more commonly spelled leitmotiv, it derives from the German words for "leading" (leit) and "motive" (Motif).
How do you make a light motif?
0:063:22Music Composition Tutorial 07 - Leitmotifs, Themes and ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSounds like now if we want to get a little bit more specific light motifs tend to be short with manyMoreSounds like now if we want to get a little bit more specific light motifs tend to be short with many of them being 2 to 4 measures long.
What is a leitmotif in music?
leitmotif, German Leitmotiv (“leading motive”), a recurring musical theme appearing usually in operas but also in symphonic poems.
Which is an example of a leitmotif?
Famous Leitmotif Examples: Der Ring des Nibelungen (Wagner) James Bond (Main Theme) Schindler's List (Violin Solo) Harry Potter (Hedwig's Theme)
What is a motif in literature?
A motif is a repeated pattern—an image, sound, word, or symbol that comes back again and again within a particular story.
Does Harry Potter have a leitmotif?
Hedwig's Theme is a leitmotif composed by John Williams for the film of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. It is better known for being the main theme of every Harry Potter film and is iconic for the wizarding world in general.
Does Superman have a leitmotif?
Leitmotifs. "Superman Fanfare" is a short triad-based motif, played just before the "Main Theme", or as a standalone when Superman appears in a quick-cut on-screen. It is also restated many times in the "Superman March". "Superman March" or "Superman Main Theme" is used over opening and closing credits.
What is another word for leitmotif?
What is another word for leitmotif?melodymotifthemetunerefrainairmusicsignature tunetheme songtheme tune32 more rows
What is Darth Vader's leitmotif?
Imperial MarchFor example, perhaps the most recognized leitmotif of all in Star Wars is Darth Vader's menacing eighteen note “Imperial March” theme, but even before the transformation of the character Anakin Skywalker into the villainous Darth Vader, Williams weaves the threatening theme into earlier films as a foreshadowing tactic.
Can a song be a leitmotif?
In music, a leitmotif is a recurring musical phrase associated with a theme, subject, character, or setting. The phrase appears throughout a musical composition in different contexts, slightly modified yet still recognizable.
How are leitmotifs used in Star Wars?
One of the most frequent uses of the Leitmotif is that when the character, object, situation or idea, appears on the screen: It is the moment in which the composer uses the musical theme in such a way that the viewer has the easiest identification of both elements; however, one of the great contributions of John ...
What is a musical motif?
A musical motif has been defined as a "short musical idea ... melodic, harmonic, or rhythmic, or all three", a salient recurring figure, musical fragment or succession of notes that has some special importance in or is characteristic of a composition: "the smallest structural unit possessing thematic identity.".
Why should a motif be clear identified?
In particular, such a motif should be "clearly identified so as to retain its identity if modified on subsequent appearances" whether such modification be in terms of rhythm, harmony, orchestration or accompaniment. It may also be "combined with other leitmotifs to suggest a new dramatic condition" or development.
What is a leitmotif?
A leitmotif or leitmotiv ( / ˌlaɪtmoʊˈtiːf /) is a "short, recurring musical phrase " associated with a particular person, place, or idea. It is closely related to the musical concepts of idée fixe or motto-theme. The spelling leitmotif is an anglicization ...
Which opera uses the leitmotif?
The leitmotif associated with Salome herself in Richard Strauss's opera Salome. Since Wagner, the use of leitmotifs has been taken up by many other composers. Richard Strauss used the device in many of his operas and several of his symphonic poems.
Who was the first composer to use leitmotifs?
Richard Wagner is the earliest composer most specifically associated with the concept of leitmotif. His cycle of four operas, Der Ring des Nibelungen (the music for which was written between 1853 and 1869), uses hundreds of leitmotifs, often related to specific characters, things, or situations.
Who created the shark theme for James Bond?
This theme would be reused in almost every subsequent Bond film. In the Jaws franchise, the main "shark" theme, composed by John Williams in 1975.
What is the meaning of leitmotifs in music?
The intentional use of music as a means of communicating character, tone, or theme is a leitmotif. It may be helpful to regard those three characteristics as the main tenets ...
What is a leitmotif?
A leitmotif is a series of overtures, usually musical, that are used recurrently to enforce tone or to recall a theme. Translated from the German, leitmotivs were popularized by German composer Richard Wagner and used chiefly in the opera from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. These musical motifs are now most recognizable in ...
What is the purpose of recurring themes?
The main goal of a recurring theme is to create unforgettable music that elevates the film towards become a cinematic icon.
Is a musical motif only once or twice?
But remember, a musical motif is nothing if it’s only used only once or twice. If that was the case, then we’d never be able to associate it with character, tone, or theme. Therein lies the rub. For example, let’s take the The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly theme.
Who are the most famous composers who use leitmotifs?
The most famous composers in cinema history, such as Ennio Morricone, John Williams, Hans Zimmer, Bernard Herrmann, and more, have all used leitmotifs for expert effect.
Is the good, bad, and ugly motif still recognizable?
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly musical motif is universally recognizable. It’s a masterful musical motif that’s still recognized today. Some of the best musical scores ever recorded don't employ leitmotifs in the traditional sense, but many of them do.
What is a motif in literature?
In contrast, a motif reinforces the theme through the repetition of a certain narrative element. As you may have already guessed, themes and motifs in literature are devoted partners in crime. To give you an easily digestible example, let’s take Shakespeare’s Sonnet 24.
What is a motif in a story?
A motif is a recurring narrative element with symbolic significance. If you spot a symbol, concept, or plot structure that surfaces repeatedly in the text, you’re probably dealing with a motif. They must be related to the central idea of the work, and they always end up reinforcing the author’s overall message.
What is the difference between a motif and a theme?
Motif vs. theme: Motifs support a book's theme. The theme of a book is generally considered to be the core meaning behind a story — in other words, its soul. Themes are almost always universal, and they usually illuminate something about society, human nature, and the world. In contrast, a motif reinforces the theme through the repetition ...
What is the theme of the sonnet?
The theme of this sonnet is arguably that “love is skin-deep.”. One of its main motifs is sight, which is made clear through the recurring imagery of eyes. It’s not a coincidence that the motif and the theme of a text are closely related: the one props up and strengthens the other, as you can see in the sonnet.
How to tease out a theme?
To tease out your motif, try to start off by freewriting about your theme. When you’re done, go back and see what ideas or symbols surface repeatedly in the exercises.
Why are motifs important in writing?
Like themes, motifs are there to help you write your book (and help readers understand them)! If you let them, motifs will add a valuable layer of depth to your story. So don't be afraid of them — let the motifs come to you naturally as you're writing or planning. You'll find that your themes will thank you for it.
What are the Motifs of the Yellow Brick Road?
Story: Tormented by grief, a young man hunts for the truth to avenge his dead father. Motifs: Ears (the unreliability of truth), birth and death (ephemerality of existence) 9.
What is a motif in a book?
A motif is an element or idea that recurs throughout a work of literature. Motifs, which are often collections of related symbols, help develop the central themes of a book or play. For example, one of the central themes in Romeo and Juliet is that love is a paradox containing many contradictions. As part of developing this theme, Shakespeare ...
Where does the word motif come from?
The Dictionary Definition of Motif: A basic definition of the term, with a bit on the etymology: the word motif comes from the French word for "dominant idea or theme.". Theme vs. Motif: A helpful article that breaks down the difference between these two terms.
What is the difference between a motif and an abstract theme?
The motif is much more concrete than the abstract theme: it consists of specific images and symbols that the reader can visualize. Motifs also tend to be specific to the work in which they appear, whereas themes appear again and again in different works by writers from different eras.
Why are motifs important in political speeches?
Because motifs are so effective in communicating and emphasizing the main themes of a work, they're common in political speeches as well as in literature. There are actually two working definitions of motif: one that defines motif as a special kind of symbol, and one that draws a greater distinction between the two terms.
What is the theme of 2666?
One theme of Roberto Bolaño's novel 2666 is that art always escapes critics' efforts to understand it. Bolaño explores this theme through the motif of the futile search. Throughout the novel, different characters search for things unsuccessfully:
What are the opposite symbols in Shakespeare's play?
As part of developing this theme, Shakespeare describes the experience of love by pairing contradictory, opposite symbols next to each other throughout the play, such as night and day, moon and sun, crows and swans. All of these paired symbols fall into a broader pattern of "dark vs. light," and that broader pattern is called a motif.
Why do writers use motifs?
Writers incorporate motifs in their work for a number of reasons: They help writers organize symbols, plot developments, and imagery into broader patterns that emphasize the main themes of the work. They give a work a sense of structure and continuity by creating patterns that recur throughout the work.
What is a motif in art?
In the arts, the noun motif refers to a recurring thematic element. It can be a recurring pattern, such as part of a fabric design: The zombie is draped in a thin white cotton sheet printed with a pink rose motif. He sits in a crudely constructed wooden chair. Let the repetition soothe you.
What is a leitmotif in Star Wars?
Like motif, leitmotif sees its own expanded use to mean "a recurring theme":
Where did the term "leitmotif" come from?
Elizabeth Lowry, The Times Literary Supplement, 19 Feb 1999. Leitmotif is a term originating from opera, where it referred to a recurring melody that played along with a character or allusion to a theme whenever one or the other appeared on stage.
Who invented the leitmotif?
One of the earliest and most renowned composers to utilize the concept of leitmotif was the German Richard Wagner (1813-1883), known for his Ring Cycle of operas, though the concept was more of a subject for his critics ...
Meaning of the Symbol of Light
Light has been used to represent different ideas and concepts in life, philosophy, and spirituality. Metaphors relating to light abound in the English language, signifying the symbolic meanings of the concept. Here are some of these meanings.
The Symbol of Light in History
When used in art, light serves as a visual language for interpreting a scene. The symbolic sense of light is also evident in architecture and in literary classics.
The Symbol of Light in Different Cultures and Beliefs
A significant amount of symbolism is associated with light in cultures around the world. In several mythologies and beliefs, it’s represented by the sun, gods and goddesses.
The Symbol of Light in Modern Times
Several holidays use the symbolism of light as a marking in celebrations. One of the major festivals in Hinduism, Sikhism, and Jainism, the Diwali or the Festival of Lights is celebrated with lamps, lanterns and fireworks.
In Brief
One of the oldest and most meaningful symbols, light has special significance in almost every culture and religion. As a symbol of life, hope, guidance and truth, it has inspired several works of art and gothic architecture. In many cultures, festivals of light commemorating the victory of light over darkness are celebrated.
