Light and Darkness in Macbeth :: Macbeth essays

Light and Darkness in Macbeth     William Shakespeares Macbeth is an ominous yarn that illustrates the danger in violating the Great range of mountains of Being, the hierarchy of things in Gods arranged universe. The Chain ranked all of creation and human society as well. It ranked kings above nobles and nobles above the poor. When Macbeth murdered King Duncan and assumed the mountain, the Chain was violated... chaos resulted. The atmosphere of the play emblemized this resulting turmoil. Specifically, take down and shadow were used to typify the unnatural chaos and ominous tone of the work. This essay will look the role of light and the role of darkness as it relates to the chaos resulting from the infringement of the Great Chain of Being.   Light is a common symbol for right-hand(a) tidings and order, so it is with Shakespeares Macbeth. At the announcement of his alternate, his son, King Duncan said, Which honor must(prenominal) not unaccompanie d invest him The Prince of Cumberland, King Duncans son and successor to the throne only, plainly signs of nobleness, like stars, shall shine / on all deservers (Shakespeare 189). King Duncan pledged his throne to his son as would be compatible with the Great Chain of Being. The light that was mentioned suggests that all was right with the world the Great Chain of Being was in proper order. The idea that light signifies the natural order of things is enforced when the master Ross says, And yet dark night strangles the traveling lamp the sun (Shakespeare 206). The sun is the symbol of the Great Chain of Being and Gods order in harmony because it is the outset of all natural light. Macbeths act of regicide disturbed the natural order of things and so subdued the sun.   In Macbeth, light is a symbol of harmony and order, provided darkness is just the opposite. Darkness is the chaos and evil that results from a embarrassed Great Chain of Being. Macbeth sent Scotland into turmoil and dark night when he murdered King Duncan. In response to the announcement of the Prince of Cumberland as the successor to the throne of Scotland, Macbeth said, ... Stars, hide your fires, let not light see my dark and deep desires to murder both King Duncan and the Prince of Cumberland (Shakespeare 189).