The play Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, is a series of horrific events that set the fate of many characters in the play. The imagery of darkness is evident and is seen in multiple occasions. Darkness is commonly used as a representation of evil. Darkness imagery is used as a representation of deception, it shows evil’s reign in the environment, and the witches’ prophecy is the reason for Macbeth’s demise.
The imagery of darkness is used as a depiction of deception. Darkness plays a major role in showing misleading Lady Macbeth is. Lady Macbeth’s character starts off as one that is very naïve and sweet but then, she is shown to be cruel and ruthless. This is seen, once Lady Macbeth is notified that King Duncan is coming to their castle, …show more content…
Darkness is shown in the environment because the murders always take place at night. After the murder of King Duncan, he begins to plot the murder of his “friend”, Banquo and his son Fleance, so that they are not able to inherit the throne. As he is talking to the murderers, Macbeth says, “… The moment on ’t; for ’t must be done tonight, And something from the palace” (3.1.131-132). Evil is linked directly with night and darkness, and Macbeth wants the murder to take place at night with no possible light. The murder takes place at night because it is ominous, reduced visibility and it is easier to hide the murder. Evil’s tyranny is portrayed in the weather because the atmosphere begins to get darker. When Ross is chatting with an Old Man, he says, “… And yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp: Is’t night’s predominance, or the day’s shame, That darkness does the face of earth entomb, When living light should kiss it?” (2.4.5-9). This quote means that when it is supposed to be daytime, it feels like it is nighttime instead. It starts to become obvious that evil has prevailed and it is being shown by the darkness that now looms over the earth. The despotism of the wicked is exposed in the surroundings and in the time of
The imagery of darkness is used as a depiction of deception. Darkness plays a major role in showing misleading Lady Macbeth is. Lady Macbeth’s character starts off as one that is very naïve and sweet but then, she is shown to be cruel and ruthless. This is seen, once Lady Macbeth is notified that King Duncan is coming to their castle, …show more content…
Darkness is shown in the environment because the murders always take place at night. After the murder of King Duncan, he begins to plot the murder of his “friend”, Banquo and his son Fleance, so that they are not able to inherit the throne. As he is talking to the murderers, Macbeth says, “… The moment on ’t; for ’t must be done tonight, And something from the palace” (3.1.131-132). Evil is linked directly with night and darkness, and Macbeth wants the murder to take place at night with no possible light. The murder takes place at night because it is ominous, reduced visibility and it is easier to hide the murder. Evil’s tyranny is portrayed in the weather because the atmosphere begins to get darker. When Ross is chatting with an Old Man, he says, “… And yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp: Is’t night’s predominance, or the day’s shame, That darkness does the face of earth entomb, When living light should kiss it?” (2.4.5-9). This quote means that when it is supposed to be daytime, it feels like it is nighttime instead. It starts to become obvious that evil has prevailed and it is being shown by the darkness that now looms over the earth. The despotism of the wicked is exposed in the surroundings and in the time of