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Light And Darkness Symbolism In Macbeth

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Symbolism, Chaos and Disorder
Symbolism is the use of symbols to indicate or represent a concept or idea. Symbols are used in literature to give things a meaning beyond their literal one, and as a way for readers to see further than what is stated in text. This allows them to come to their own conclusions and it contributes to the theme and mood of the text to make it more effective. In Macbeth, nature symbolism is used to reflect the events in society through the weather atmosphere, and animals. Light and darkness imagery is used in correlation with chaos as well; night and darkness being used to cloak evil, and light and dark used to suggest the occurrence of evil events . Sleeplessness, another symbol, is also used to show how the chaos causes the characters in Macbeth to fall apart, from how they caused sleeplessness for themselves to how it drives them to self destruct. In William Shakespeare's play, Macbeth, symbols are constantly used to illustrate growing chaos, evil and destruction which suggests that Scotland is on a path to its downfall.
First of all, the motif of nature and disruption in the natural world is used to suggest that something unsettling has or will happen. For one, animals are used to illustrate the chaos occurring after Duncan's death. In the scene …show more content…
Now that Macbeth will never again sleep peacefully, he will no longer have this. That soothing, healing and nourishing source of comfort is no longer there which illustrates chaos and his path is bound to be chaotic and destructive. Macbeth's sleeplessness symbolizes him losing his peace and innocence and after killing Duncan, he no longer has a clear conscience. Sleeplessness also shows how guilt causes Lady Macbeth to go crazy. After Macduff meets with Malcolm, Lady Macbeth is ill and sleepwalking in her room, and Gentlewoman says to

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