What does darkness represent?

The symbol of darkness stands in opposition to the symbol of light signifying the unknown, sin, and anxiety that the Essex townspeople have to confront. Whenever the darkness is noted, there is always the suggestion that there is something in the dark as well. When characters are in the dark, they are often unsure of themselves or have doubts about themselves and thus the darkness is a place where things are muddled and one cannot make the right decisions.