The Importance of Night in Macbeth - 767 Words

When I thought about the role that the word night would play in the tragic play Macbeth, I found that there were a variety of possibilities. Immediately, I thought of the nighttime as a period of rest and revitalization. I expected that this would allow characters to recover from the day s many demands. Secondly, I connected the night to the unknown. In the night s cloak of darkness, many more things could go undiscovered than in the revealing light of day. Next, I thought that the night would mean vulnerability. As the evening closes in, everyone begins to wind down, not expecting any real action until the breaking of the dawn. In addition, while one is sleeping, they are susceptible to almost anything. The most logical time to make†¦show more content†¦The night, however, gives her the impression that Macbeth can indeed kill King Duncan with no one uncovering his contemptible crime, the same idea that Macbeth had when he said, Stars, hide your fires; / Let not light see my black and deep desires... (I,iv,50). The night s darkness even allows them to believe that they can hide Macbeth s sin from God, the all-knowing One. Next, we find an excellent example of night causing vulnerability in act II, scene iii. As King Duncan slumbers in his chambers, Macbeth, bidding the firm-set earth not to hear his steps, enters and slays the innocent and unaware monarch (56). Another key example of night s connection to vulnerability occurs in act III, scene iii, when the unsuspecting Banquo is murdered as he returns to Inverness. If Banquo had returned in the light of day, the three murderers surely would not have attempted to kill the nobleman. Finally, one can recognize the major role that night plays regarding evilness in Macbeth. All of the evil things that Macbeth does in the story occurs in the nighttime. Lennox states, ... the obscure bird / Clamored the livelong night. Some say, the earth / Was feverous and did shake, in reaction to Macbeth s first evil act, killing the king of Scotland, as seen in my word journal. Animals and even the earth itself could sense the horrible sin that Macbeth hadShow MoreRelatedMacbeth, By William Shakespeare Essay1487 Words   |  6 Pagesâ€Å"Every action has a reaction†. Macbeth by William Shakespeare is a tale which illuminates the consequences of violating the â€Å"Natural order†, the hierarchy of beings in the universe. When Macbeth, a warrior well-known for his courage and bravery, murders King Duncan acting on his unchecked ambition to claim the throne, the order was disrupted, the result†¦chaos. 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