Final answer:
A motif in a play is a recurring element that helps discern the theme through repetition, such as costumes, set design, or the way actors deliver lines.
Step-by-step explanation:
In examining whether there was a motif in the play, we look for recurring elements that help in uncovering the theme of the story. Since a motif can be a statement, a place, an object, or even a sound that is presented multiple times throughout the play, it guides us to interpret the underlying message or theme that the author intends to convey. For example, the use of specific costumes or set design can be a motif representing a particular era or a character's state of mind. Additionally, how actors deliver their lines, whether comically or seriously, and any significant actions or gestures are crucial in contributing to the meaning of the play and may reflect a motif related to the theme.
For instance, if a play repeatedly references a particular object or setting, like a park that denotes a character's childhood, and later in the play, this park is replaced by a housing complex, it may suggest themes of growth, change, or the loss of innocence. Similarly, if an actor's delivery is consistently aligned with a play's mood or a narrative point, this could also be considered a motif that enriches the work's thematic depth.