Both Uses of
predominant
in
Macbeth
- By the clock 'tis day,
And yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp.
Is't night's predominance, or the day's shame,
That darkness does the face of earth entomb,
When living light should kiss it?p. 73.7 *predominance = power and influenceeditor's notes: This could be paraphrased as: "It’s daytime by the clock, yet the dark night smothers the sun. Is it night's overpowering strength, or the disgrace of the day, that causes darkness to cover the earth when the light of life should be shining upon it?"
In this scene, darkness is a reaction to evil as the natural world reacts to Duncan's murder.
- Do you find
Your patience so predominant in your nature,
That you can let this go?p. 87.5predominant = powerful and influential
Definition:
most frequent, common, or important; or having more power and influence