Motívummal

Motívummal is the instrumental case form of motívum in Hungarian, meaning with a motif. The noun motívum refers to a motif: a short musical idea or a recurring symbol, image, or idea that appears across a work and helps unify its structure or meaning. The term is used in music, literature, film, and visual arts.

In music, a motif is a brief, recognizable musical figure that recurs and often serves as the building block of a larger musical argument. In literature and film, motifs are recurring images, phrases, colors, or objects that reinforce themes or contribute to character development.

The form motívummal appears when indicating instrument or means, often translated as “with a motif” or “by means of a motif.” For example: a composition can begin with a motif, or a narrative can be built around a motif.

In analysis, motif is distinguished from theme: a theme is the broad underlying idea, while a motif is a recurring element that contributes to or manifests that idea. A related concept is vezérmotívum (leitmotif), a motif associated with a specific character, idea, or location, especially in opera.

See also: motívum, vezérmotívum.