Abstract
This paper attempts to explore the Homeric uses of simple light and dark terms to develop possible symbolic meanings in the Lattimore translations of the epics "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey". It first explores references to light then dark uses in both epics and then explores individual uses in each epic. The order of explanation develops the point that in "The Iliad" light and dark references mostly describe war, while in "The Odyssey" the terms develop a wide array of objects and situations because there is no major war.

From the Paper
"First, light seems to appear in both epics when referencing gods, weapons, and other general descriptions. Through reading both epics, one can discover that Homer has utilized light to develop the love and admiration for gods and goddesses, much like other ancient Greek writers. Such descriptions can be seen in The Iliad. In the text Apollo is referred to as: "lord of the silver bow" (Book I, 37) . Throughout the text Homer's descriptions also portray Hera as the goddess with the white arms. Also, when in Olympos the gods and goddesses are said to drink in golden cups. In The Odyssey goddesses are especially referenced through bright terms."

Tags:achaean, achilles, achilleus, athena, odysseus, odyssey, patroklus, telemachus, trojan

Abstract
This paper analyzes how various representations of light and dark in Aeschylus's "Agamemnon", part of the "Oresteia", seem to mirror masculinity and femininity, respectively. It explains how these images also show how the play is mostly about how the female attempts to usurp male power, ultimately achieving it. Nevertheless, because there can never be absolute darkness or absolute light, the overthrow of the male can only be temporary.

From the Paper
"In Aeschylus's Agamemnon, the use of light and dark revolves around their relation to the masculine and the feminine, respectively. Throughout the play, brilliant metaphors and images are used to express this idea, most obviously when related to Agamemnon and Clytaemestra. These images also show how the play is mostly about how the female attempts to usurp male power, ultimately achieving it. Nevertheless, because there can never be absolute darkness or absolute light, the overthrow of the male can only be temporary."

Tags:clytaemestra, clytemnestra, greek, mythology, orestia, symbolism, tragedy

Abstract
The paper explains how Milton uses the imagery of light and darkness as symbols for good and evil. The paper describes how Adam and Eve, even after their sin, still retain some hope and faith in God and they therefore retain their connection to light. The paper shows, however, how Satan loses both the actual light of God and heaven and his name of light with his refusal to repent.

From the Paper
"Although Satan clearly bears the blame for his fall, in his discussion of Satan's loss of position, name, and the light of God, Milton underscores the fragility of light, which will later be enacted in the loss of paradise on the part of Adam and Eve. When Lucifer dwelled in the "happy Realms of Light/Cloth'd with transcendent brightness" he "didst out-shine/ Myriads though bright" (1.85-87). But after the fall, he is the darkest, rather than the most light-infused of all angels and even his physical appearance is changed, as well as his spiritual status. The other fallen angels marvel at his changed, hideous appearance. Later, one of the attractions God's adversary feels for earth, and one of the reasons it repels him as well is he says that it is "Warm'd by the Sun" and light (9.721)."

Tags:sin, repentance, faith, hope, God, heaven, Lucifer, Adam, Eve

Abstract
This essay explains metaphoric and literal blindness in the play "Oedipus Rex". Additionally, light and dark imagery in the play are discussed. The focus is on the evolution of Oedipus' own self-realization and transformation from metaphorically blind to literally blind. His biological parents and those who tried to warn him of upcoming danger are also discussed.

From the Paper
"Sophocles uses the images of darkness and light as well as symbolic (and literal) blindness throughout the play "Oedipus Rex". Light is a representation that refers to the truth in this work where dark refers to the absence of knowledge or purposely avoiding the truth. Also in the play, blindness means not only the absence of sight, but mostly the refusal to accept the truth. Oedipus himself characterizes the implied blindness by rejecting common sense and not listening to anyone's advice throughout the play. His self-absorbed failure to recognize reason comes to a climax when he realizes just how wrong he has been and how his..."

Tags:oedipus, light, blind

Abstract
The paper analyzes John Milton's epic poem, "Paradise Lost," and focuses on the poem's allusions to light and dark representing the concepts of good and evil. The paper closely examines how Milton employs images of light and dark in his descriptions of Heaven, Hell, earth, mankind, God and angels.

From the Paper
"Milton places an extraordinary amount of significance on the matters of dark and light in the poem through powerful metaphors. These concepts are immediately thought of as opposites and, for most of the poem, they are. Light has long been the traditional metaphor for things being good while dark images and metaphors represent things that are sinister and evil. The first and foremost of these opposites is God and Satan, each representing a being of lightness or darkness, respectively. Milton wants there to be no doubt that "God is light" (Milton III.3) and goes into incredible lengths describing God's grandeur. Another significant symbol of light are the angels. The angels are beings of light. Throughout the poem, they are held in high regard and are considered to be "Progenie of Light" (V.600). Raphael is a gentle angel and his primary focus in to save Adam and Eve from their impending fall."

Tags:Heaven, Hell, earth, mankind, God, angels, good, evil

Abstract
This paper elaborates on the importance of the motif of darkness and light in "Romeo and Juliet". There are several scenes which incorporate this theme throughout the play and a complete discussion is offered as to the importance of this imagery.

From the Paper
"William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, encapsulates several different themes and motifs. The most obvious theme of the play is romantic love and the relationship it shares with death and violence. Fate, and the role it plays in the characters tragic deaths, is another theme that clearly permeates throughout Romeo and Juliet. However, I believe a complete explication of the play would not be possible without the inclusion of a less apparent motif, the imagery of darkness and light. Several of the important scenes in Romeo and Juliet, are set either late at night or early in the morning, and Shakespeare often uses the contrast between day and night to explore opposing alternatives within the context of the scene."

Tags:motif, day, evil, knowledge

Abstract
This paper analyzes Lord Byron's poem "She Walk's in Beauty", which combines images of darkness and light to create a unique internal and external aura. The paper maintains that this aura surrounds the beautiful woman who he describes in his poem. Each one of Byron's three stanzas describes a natural, a physical and a spiritual aura which surround the woman. Byron uses images from the natural, physical and spiritual world to describe the emotions he has towards this particular woman, represented in images of both light and darkness. The paper concludes that, through his poem, Byron has combined the beauty of the natural world, the physical body and the spiritual being to create a timeless expression of love and admiration.

From the Paper
"Byron's first stanza concentrates on the natural beauty of the woman who he encounters. "She walks in beauty, like the night/ Of cloudless climes and starry skies" (Ln.1-2) .Byron has immediately introduced us to a woman whose beauty is that equal to the beauty of nature. Her beauty is represented by the darkness of night. The image of night creates an aura that surrounds her. Byron is describing how beautiful he feels the night is and that this woman represents that beauty of night within her own aura. Nature is both day and night, both dark and light. In the first stanza the images of day light and dark night both represent the woman. The lines "All that's best of dark and bright Meet in her aspect and her eyes," (Ln. 3-4) represent the combination of day and night within the woman. She is a combination of the best of the day and the best of the night. Her combination of dark and bright creates, "that tender night Which heaven to gaudy day denies" (Ln.5-6). She is not the overpowering "gaudy," brightness of day. She's the perfect combination of light and dark. Not even heaven bestows this beautiful light on the day. She is a pure, natural and heavenly creature on earth."

Tags:love, admiration, poetry, ideal, image, metaphor

Abstract
The paper reveals that everything composed of ordinary familiar atoms like stars, planets, moons, comets and the whole lot from the tip of a needle to a mountain makes up about 4% of the universe. The paper then explains that the vast majority of the composition of the universe is a mysterious substance called dark energy and the remaining 22% is made up of the equally mysterious dark matter. The paper notes that dark matter does not give off light so we can't see it; however we know its there since it exerts a gravitational pull on the ordinary matter that we do see.

From the Paper
"Everything composed of ordinary familiar atoms like stars, planets, moons, comets and the whole lot from the tip of a needle to a mountain makes up about 4% of the universe. The vast majority of the composition of the universe is a mysterious substance called dark energy and the remaining 22% is made up of the equally mysterious dark matter. Dark matter does not give off light so we can't see it; however we know its there since it exerts a gravitational pull on the ordinary matter that we do see. Scientists have been aware of the possibility of the existence of dark matter since the 1930, however its composition remains unknown."

Tags:dark matter, universe, article

Abstract
This paper discusses the poem, "We Grow Accustomed to the Dark" by Emily Dickinson. The paper presents three different interpretations of the poem, by Jough Dempsey, Joan Kirkby and Sister Miriam. The paper contends that Dickinson's images are vague, arbitrary and highly personal in ways that raise poetry to the art form it deserves to be. The paper states that the imagery in this particular poem is no exception, as is clear by the different interpretations offered by these three authors. The paper claims that the image of 'darkness' that is found throughout the poem is especially problematic and is interpreted differently by each of the authors.

From the Paper
"Dempsey gives a modern interpretation of Emily Dickinson's "We Grow Accustomed to the Dark". He raises uncertainties regarding the meanings of the various images and words, rather than providing clear meanings to clarify the meaning of the poem as a whole. Indeed, this appears to be a requirement with regard to the poetry of Emily Dickinson. Her images are vague, arbitrary and highly personal in ways that raise poetry to the art form it deserves to be. The images in this particular poem are no exception, as will be seen by the various interpretations offered by a variety of authors. Especially problematic is the image of "Darkness" that is found throughout the poem, and that appears to be dichotomized with the concept of "Light"."

Tags:poetry, light, dempsey, kirkby

Abstract
This paper examines the myriad of changes brought about by the invention of the light bulb. The paper presents issues of safety of light bulbs as opposed to candles. The paper also claims that the light bulb has changed the face of travel, enabling safe passage whether by car, boat, airplane or walking. It has also greatly increased productivity worldwide by allowing longer hours of work.

From the Paper
"The light bulb was perhaps the most significant invention since fire; although fire was never truly invented. Nevertheless, the light bulb has impacted our lives on a scale similar to that of when our ancestors first harnessed the flame: it has altered the way people live their lives so drastically that it is difficult to even imagine life in its absence. Thanks to its invention, the night is open to far more activities than the candle or even the lantern could ever have provided. Its likelihood as a fire starter is much less than its predecessors, thus increasing the safety of people and their property. The light bulb has changed the face of travel. It has also greatly increased productivity worldwide."

Tags:electricity, candle, dark