(20 points) a common motif in the poetry of this unit is death. how do the various poets address the elements of death? how is death used as a motif? the three examples i'm using are "ah, are you digging my grave," "my last duchess," and "the lady of shalott." if anyone has read these and understands it me. i'm not looking for a direct answer but actual understanding

Motif is basically elements in the poem with symbolic meanings. So, in these poems you have listed, each of them have a motif of death through symbolization. For instance, in the poem "Ah, Are You Digging My Grave" he uses symbolism to express that he is dead and buried as you can see from the title itself and the first verse, "Ah, are you digging on my grave, My loved one? -- planting rue?"

For "My Last Duchess" shows a great point of symbolism when the jealous Duke has a portrait of the Duchess he killed behind his curtains to ensure his dominance over her even when she is already dead.

In the last poem, "The Lady of Shalott" the character herself is a symbol. In the verses, "The reaper, reaping late and early, Hears her ever chanting cheerly, Like an angel, singing clearly" it uses metaphors that symbolize death with the word, "reaper and reaping". 

Hope I was able to help you. :)

                 - Dotz