Theme Of Darkness In Macbeth

The darkness Macbeth and Lady Macbeth created has not only impacted themselves but also the world and people around them. Banquo knows something terrible has happened due to the sky being dark and holding none of heavens stars. He soon after turns to his son and says, “Hold, take my sword. There's husbandry in heaven;/ Their candles are all out. Take thee that too./ A heavy summons lies like lead upon me,/ And yet I would not sleep: merciful powers,/ Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature/ Gives way to in repose!” (II.i.5-11). Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have cast this darkness throughout the world, and people are starting to pick up on it, such as Banquo. Also, since Banquo was with Macbeth when the three witches told their prophecies that turned Macbeth evil, he knows that this darkness has to be because of a wrongdoing done by Macbeth.

If a man were/ porter of hell-gate, he should have old turning the/ key./…knock! Who’s there, in th’/ other devil’s name?/…knock!/ Never at quiet! What are you? But this place is/ too cold for hell. I’ll devil-porter it no further: I had/ thought to have let in/ some of all professions that go/ the primrose/ way to the everlasting bonfire” (II.iii.1-19). This scene holds tons of dramatic irony. The porter knows nothing about the death of King Duncan that has just happened. Because of all the sins committed within Macbeth's castle, it soon becomes the gateway to hell, making the porters drunken thoughts an actual reality. Ross and an old man have been exchanging accounts of recent unnatural happenings. Ross is telling the old man of “…th’clock ’tis day,/ And yet dark night strangles the traveling lamp./ Is ’t night’s predominance or the day’s shame/ That darkness does the face of earth entomb/ When ling should kiss it?”