In brief, the three scenes discussed above are illustrations of the compunction the two Macbeths are equally afflicted with after they preside over the murders of their king, a close friend, and an entire innocent family. Neither one was expecting such a strong impact on their minds, but neither could hide from their guilty consciences after the fact. Inevitably, Lady Macbeth is overcome with despair and commits suicide, not surprising given her poor, ravaged mind. Macbeth, too, seems to succumb to his inexorable destiny by Macduff’s sword, solidifying the pervasive theme that unchecked ambition must lead to an unpleasant end.
Mack, Maynard. Everybody’s Shakespeare: Reflections Chiefly on the Tragedies. Lincoln, NB: University of Nebraska Press, 1993.
Mehl, Dieter. Shakespeare's Tragedies: An Introduction. Cambridge, New York, New Rochelle, Melbourne, Sydney: Cambridge U, 1986.
Warren, Roger. Shakespeare Survey 30. N.p.: n.p., 1977. Pp. 177-78. Rpt. in Shakespeare in the Theatre: An Anthology of Criticism. Stanley Wells, ed. England: Oxford University Press, 2000.
Mack, Maynard. Everybody’s Shakespeare: Reflections Chiefly on the Tragedies. Lincoln, NB: University of Nebraska Press, 1993.
"The Enlightenment was a desire for human affairs to be guided by rationality than by faith, superstition, or revelation; a belief in the power of human reason to change society and liberate the individual from the restraints of custom or arbitrary authority; all backed up by a world view increasingly validated by science rather than by religion or tradition." (Outram 1995)
The Enlightenment was the period lasting from the mid-seventeenth century and throughout the eighteenth century in which, thought and culture led to brilliant revolutions in science, society, politics, and philosophy. People living in this time often referred to it as the “Age of Reason”. During this time a contemporary western culture developed and was a precursor to the beginning of our ever-expanding technological and political world. This era brought representative government, an aura of freedom, and belief that people could better human existence. The Enlightenment idea was partially taken from John Locke’s “Essay Concerning Human Understanding”.
The Enlightenment was the time period that followed the Scientific Revolution and was characterized as the "Age of Reason". This was the time when man began to use his reason to discover the world around him rather than blindly follow what the previous authority, such as the Church and Classical Philosophers, stated to be true. The Enlightenment was a tremendously broad movement that dominated much of the European thinking during the 18th century, however, several core themes that epitomized the movement were the idea of progress, skepticism against the Church, and individualism.
In Macbeth there are many examples of light verses dark imagery. In Macbeth light is represents peace. Darkness represents horrible events or death. In the beginning of the play Macbeth started out as a friendly guy that would not kill someone who does not deserve it. He started out in light by killing the traitors to the king. Later on in the play he becomes greedy and kills King Duncan to take his place. Once he kills Duncan he turns into this killing machine. Lady Macbeth started out the play on in the dark side, she wanted to have no feeling for anything that she did, and she just wanted power. Later on she became guilty and started sleep walking; she became insane and committed suicide. In the beginning of the play all of the murders were committed in darkness. This changes once the three murders kill Banquo, he is killed in torch light.
Isaac Newton’s story of how an apple falling from a tree that hit his head inspired him to formulate a theory of gravitation is one that all school children grow up hearing about. Newton is arguably one of the most influential scientific minds in human history. He has published books such as Arithmetica Universalis, The Chronology of Ancient Kingdoms, Methods of Fluxions, Opticks, the Queries, and most famously, Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia MathematicaHe formulated the three laws of gravitation, discovered the generalized binomial theorem, developed infinitesimal calculus (sharing credit with Gottfried Wilhelm Von Leibniz, who developed the theory independently), and worked extensively on optics and refraction of light. Newton changed the way that people look at the world they live in and how the universe works.
Berlinski, David. Newton's Gift: How Sir Isaac Newton Unlocked the System of the World. New
Why do things fall when we drop them? How come we do not float as we would on the moon? Where do the colors of a rainbow come from? How long would it take to drive across Colorado if you are constantly changing speeds? All of these questions can now be answered, largely impart because of the great English philosopher, Sir Isaac Newton. In a time where religion was at war with science, Isaac Newton opened up people's minds to theories and reason. Isaac Newton was to be the starburst of the Enlightenment. He became the foundation of enlightened thought. It was the 17th century, the time of the Scientific Revolution. Many brilliant men contributed to this time, but it was Newton who solidified their thoughts and theories (Margaret, 10). Isaac Newton is one of the most influential people in the world. He not only invented so many new concepts and ideas, but he brought an understanding of the universe that we live in to people across the world. Isaac Newton not only changed the world with the invention of calculus, but also with his theory of light and color, and his invention of physical science and the law of universal gravitation (Margaret, 11).
Shakespeare uses imagery of light and dark to enhance the images between good and bad. Light and dark, day and night, good and bad can be noticed throughout the course of the entire play. Darkness is squeezed between light and is used to intensify the moment and catch the audience’s attention. The motif of light and dark can be used in a literal use, but it also takes on a symbolic meaning of one’s ambition and deceitfulness that can lead them to their ruins.
Clark and Wright in their Introduction to The Complete Works of William Shakespeare interpret the main theme of the play as intertwining with evil and ambition:
Later, In August of 1684, Newton was visited by British Astronomer Edmond Halley who had a problem with orbital dynamics. Newton solved this problem and Edmond sent the demonstration. Later, he received a tract called “On Motion”. (Sir Isaac) Newton expanded this work and created the “Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica”, this piece became his masterpiece and became a fundamental work for all of modern science. These mechanics have been the paradigm of natural science ever since, and these included Newton’s three laws of motion. (Sir