Darkness, as polar to brightness, is understood to be an absence of visible light. It is also the appearance of black in a color space.
Humans are unable to distinguish color when either light or darkness predominate (W. Wundt, Outlines of Psychology, 1907). In the absence of light, perception is achromatic and ultimately, black.
The emotional response to darkness has metaphorical connotations in many cultures.
Famous quotes containing the word darkness:
“Persephone herself is but a voice
or a darkness invisible enfolded in the deeper dark
of the arms Plutonic, and pierced with the passion of dense gloom,
among the splendor of torches of darkness, shedding darkness on the
lost bride and her groom.”
—D.H. (David Herbert)
“Sometimes we have to go through the darkness alone, before we can see the light.”
—Adele Comandini. Edward Sutherland. Michael O’Brien (Charles Winninger)
“Does the sower
Sow by night,
Or the ploughman in darkness plough?”
—William Blake (1757–1827)