Light and Darkness in Macbeth :: Macbeth essays

Light and shadower in Macbeth     William Shakespeares Macbeth is an ominous tale that illustrates the danger in violating the peachy kitchen range of Being, the hierarchy of things in Gods allegeed universe. The Chain ranked both of knowledgeableness and human society as well. It ranked kings above nobles and nobles above the poor. When Macbeth murder mightiness Duncan and assumed the throne, the Chain was violated... cuckoos nest resulted. The atmosphere of the play symbolized this resulting ruction. Specifically, vigilant and shadow were used to exemplify the un inborn chaos and ominous shadow of the work. This essay will explore the role of light and the role of trace as it relates to the chaos resulting from the violation of the Great Chain of Being.   Light is a common symbol for good tidings and order, so it is with Shakespeares Macbeth. At the proclamation of his successor, his son, female monarch Duncan said, Which honor must non unacc ompanied invest him The Prince of Cumberland, King Duncans son and successor to the throne only, but 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 nobleman Ross says, And yet dark night equine distemper 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 source of all natural light. Macbeths act of regicide dysphoric the natural order of things and so subdued the sun.   In Macbeth, light is a symbol of harmony and order, but darkness is just the opposite. Darkness is the chaos and evil that results from a broken Great Chain of Being. Macbeth sent Scotland into turmoil and dark night when he murdered King Duncan. In resolution 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 black and deep desires to murder both King Duncan and the Prince of Cumberland (Shakespeare 189).