From a practical standpoint, the ancient world was a dangerous place under the cover of darkness: an opportunistic time when violent deeds could be committed under the anonymity of night. Similarly, darkness in the early-modern world, at least according to its literature, appears to summon the worst features within man, nature, and the universe3. Ekirch claims that: “In African cultures like the Yoruba and Ibo peoples of Nigeria and the Ewe of Dahomy (now Benin) and Togoland (Togo and Ghana), spirits assumed the form of witches at night, sowing misfortune and death in their wake.”4
peers, travelling to faraway places and the good health of loved ones. The darkness of recent events may have left negative impressions on us, and for a reason. Death and even more subtle forms of loss can produce deeply unresolved grief and mourning.
The idea of the night as a period of reflection and free thought is perpetuated by Plato. In The Laws, Plato’s work on political philosophy, the members of the ‘nocturnal council’ meet at night - a time free from all other obligations7. It’s unlikely the ‘nocturnal council’ moonlighted as bartenders, but it’s evident in Plato’s writing among others that darkness’ ability to dim the world brings clarity. As 2022 begins, bringing with it a myriad of new dawns and realised hopes, we may soon have the opportunity to bask in light. Relationships with physical connection, studying alongside
However, as darkness continues to enter our lives this year and years to come, maybe its usefulness can be realised while we wait for the next coming dawn.
SOCIETY & CULTURE
Many of us don’t have to look further than the mirror to find someone tormented by a childhood terror of the dark, perhaps one that still lingers long into adulthood.
when humans see the stars and get a glimpse into the universe, when we realise, we are no more than a small part of the cosmos.”6
Can no good come from time spent in the dark? Logically, as Harvey Dent pleaded to the citizens of Gotham: the darker the night, the deeper its day’s contrast. The ancient Greek philosopher Hesoid summarised: “day follows night in a causative, aetiological sense: Day exists because Night has produced it.”5 Practically, the frustration and fear associated with darkness helps contextualise our contentment and comfort in light. Without the tantalising distractions of daytime and its gluttony of social options, our minds can be set loose in the darkness. Even the concept of an ‘allnighter’ connotes a lucidity and freedom of thought that arises in the night time.
German litterateur Antje Wessels says that “the night is the period of time
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2. 3. 4. 5.
6. 7.
Ekirch, A.R., 2013. At day’s close: a history of nighttime. Hachette UK, pp. 3-7.
Ekirch, 2013, p. 3 Ekirch, 2013, p. 4 Wessels, A. and Ker, J., 2020. The Values of Nighttime in Classical Antiquity. In The Values of Nighttime in Classical Antiquity, pp. 1-20. Brill. Wessels & Kerr, 2020, p. 7
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