The Time Motif and Its Significance in Macbeth
             Throughout the play The Tragedy of Macbeth, many different motifs are exemplified. However, the time motif has a strong importance on the story itself. This theme intensifies as the play develops. Its significance to the characters and impact on the character's actions grows more and more as the story goes on.
             In the beginning of Macbeth, the reader is welcomed by the three witches. These witches foreshadow what is to come later on in the play. They ask: "When shall we three meet again?/ In thunder, lightning, or in rain?" (Shakespeare Ii 1-2). As a response the witches say, "That will be ere the set of sun" (Shakespeare Ii 5). During Shakespeare's time, the king is related to the sun, and the sunset is symbolizes the kings death or removal from power (Rackin 108). This foretells Duncan's murder and his overthrow in the story. Later in this act, the witches speak with Macbeth and tell him his three prophesies. The first witch tells him he is Thane of Glamis; however, the second witch continues to say he will be the Thane of Cawdor. The third witch proceeds to tell Macbeth, "That shalt be king hereafter!" (Shakespeare Iiii 53). Now that the witches have told him this, he grows to be impatient. Because he cannot wait for the future to be king, he decides to kill Duncan in order to make the future the present (Rackin 109).
             Although Macbeth decides to kill Duncan, he does contemplate his actions and the consequences of murdering the king. During this soliloquy in the play, Lady Macbeth convinces Macbeth to go through with the deed by mocking his fears. She suggests a plan for the killing of Duncan, which leads to Macbeth being supportive of it. When deciding to murder the king, Macbeth has to "mock time"; and as a result, time with mock him (Rackin 113). Most of Macbeth's dialogue ends up explaining his own l...