Weekly Revision Video: The Motif of Darkness in Macbeth

Introduction

• Focus on the motif of darkness in Macbeth.
• Importance of darkness: enhances the theme of corruption and deterioration.
• Shakespeare's purpose: warn against the dangers of regicide (killing the king/queen) and its consequences.

Macbeth and Darkness

• Key Quotation: "Stars, hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires."
  • Context: Macbeth learns Malcolm will be the Prince of Cumberland.
  • Macbeth's ambition and savage nature are evident.
  • Themes: Appearance vs. reality; Macbeth's duplicity.
• Connection to Witches: Darkness is linked to the witches’ prophecies; they meet under the cover of darkness.
  • Banquo describes witches as "instruments of darkness."
  • Both Macbeth and witches use darkness to accomplish evil deeds.

Lady Macbeth and Darkness

• Key Quotation: "Come, thick night, and pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell."
  • Lady Macbeth calls on the supernatural to aid her deeds.
  • Mirroring Macbeth’s language, showing shared evil intent.
• Character Development:
  • Act 5: Lady Macbeth sleepwalks with a taper (small candle), symbolizing her decline and desperation.
  • Light symbolizes hope and redemption, showing her fall from power and the impossibility of redemption after regicide.

The Role of Light in Macbeth

• Limited references to light highlight Macbeth's nihilism and moral decay.
• King Duncan’s Decree: "Stars shall shine on all deservers."
  • Represents order and the divine right of kings; supports the great chain of being.
• Chaos from Regicide:
  • Post-Duncan's murder: "Dark night strangles the traveling lamp."
  • Symbolizes chaos and disruption of the natural order.
  • Dark covering of the sun (light) shows the loss of divine order.

Banquo and Light

• Symbolism: Banquo and Fleance carry torches, representing honor and virtue.
  • Banquo’s murder: extinguishing of torches symbolizes loss of light (goodness) due to Macbeth’s actions.

Conclusion

• Darkness in Macbeth highlights the themes of evil and moral decay.
• References to light emphasize the rarity of virtue and the consequences of regicide.
• Shakespeare illustrates the inherent evil of unchecked ambition and betrayal.

• Reflection: The use of darkness and light in the play serves to underscore the moral dilemmas and the tragic consequences of ambition and betrayal.