The Importance Of Night In Macbeth

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Spencer Ress

“Night” is defined as the darkness that takes place between sunset and sunrise. Shadows of the nighttime conceal what we wish to remain hidden, as daybreak may shed light on any evil deeds or thoughts that took place during the darkness. In Macbeth, night aids Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in committing evil deeds, but they then become insane because of guilt. The motif of night helps Shakespeare reveal the greater theme that humans can only keep evil from affecting their conscience for so long, by showing the changing nature of Macbeth and his lady; first they display their desire to welcome darkness and then they suffer mental breakdowns associated with grief.
In the early stages of the play, Lady Macbeth exposes her strong desire for nighttime to occur. Lady Macbeth learns that Duncan is coming to their castle. She believes Macbeth lacks the ability to fulfill the Witches’ second prophecy. Standing in the castle's kitchen, Lady Macbeth calls upon the dark supernatural agents, saying, "Come thick night, And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell" (1.5.49-50). La...

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