In all of his plays, Shakespeare uses an assortment of motifs and symbols that bear vivid imagery, almost bringing them to life, just like a character. In the tragedy Macbeth, Shakespeare does an excellent job in using the element darkness, and words associated to it, to create a type of "force" that has an impact on the characters and the play itself. When we think of the dark, what immediately comes to our minds are feelings of evilness, wickedness, and negativity. Darkness is a tool that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth use to lead them both to execute deadly, murderous acts. At first darkness is simply portrayed as a blanket to cover up a bad deed when needed. As the play progresses, darkness evolves into a personality (creature) that plagues Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. This evolution is evident in the deeds of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in the course of the play.
             The plot directly affecting Macbeth starts off when he meets the Three Witches who tell him a prophecy that piques his mind. They tell him that he will soon be the King of Scotland: "All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!" (I.iii.49). This scene takes place in darkness, and it is the first time we see darkness as being natural. There is thunder, and therefore there are gray clouds and it is dark. With the combination of the witches (known to society as being evil) and the darkness, we get the notion that there is something vile going on. Banquo, at one point in the play, defines the witches as being "the instruments of darkness" (I.iii.123). The witches' prophecies lead him to consider the role and the privilege of being king which he would have never considered before. Apparently darkness, even at its initial, natural appearance, brought evil.
             The next appearance of darkness is used as a "blanket," a hider of bad deeds. Macbeth says to himself, "Stars, hide your fires, let not light see my black and de...