[General] darkness visible

[vil]

Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to explain to me, not knowing a B from a broomstick, the meaning of the phrase “make darkness visible”

I saw something like this in Milton’s “The Lost Paradise”

A dungeon horrible on all sides round
As one great furnace flamed yet from those flames
No light, but rather darkness visible,
Served only to discover sights of woe….

Thanks for your efforts.

Regards,

V

 

[Tdol]

I think it's a bit of a poetic conceit- if it were genuinely dark, he wouldn't be able to describe much, so he's imagining darkness as a form of light that allows him to see the horrors.

 

[vil]

Hi Tdol,

Thank you for your explanation.

What is your opinion about my provoking modification of the mentioned of you indefinite form of light, namely "faint light"?

There is another very interesting phrase "make darkness visible" but I hold it reserve.

V.