Imagery in 'Macbeth' - Part III

Today we'll talk about the imagery of light and darkness.

Light is the symbol of knowledge and goodness while darkness is the symbol of evil and theft. A deep pal of darkness surrounds the whole play from beginning to end. Most of the scenes that crowd to our mind are the scenes of darkness. For example, the King Duncan is murdered in his sleep at night when it is too dark for anyone to see. Banquo is also killed at night. The night is so dark that he asks his son Fleance to bring a torch. Even Lady Macbeth, before her death sees only darkness around her. Therefore, she has asked her chamber servants to keep a torch lighted all the time. Even when there is any light, it is earnestly desired that the light be turned into darkness when Macbeth hears that Malcolm will be the Prince of Scotland, he appeals to the stars “hide your fires” so that his darkness remains invisible to the human eye. After this he only thinks of darkness and “thick night” whenever he wants to act. For example when he has to murder Duncan he invokes”

…come thick night,
And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell.

OR

…come, seeling night,
Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day.

Banquo also refers to darkness when he says that Heaven’s “candles are all out”. Along with this image of darkness comes the image of sickness and death. For example Scotland, the dear country of Malcolm and Macduff is referred to as sick. Macbeth also finds his country sick which needs a purge. Malcolm tells Macduff that their country is suffering from the disease called the tyranny of Macbeth and they must:

…make us medicines of our great revenge
To cure this deadly grief.”