Light and Dark Imagery in Romeo and Juliet
"Romeo and Juliet," by William Shakespeare, is perhaps the most beautiful love story ever written. The two lovers in this play, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet, have become widely known for their brightly magical but tragically ended love. Throughout the play, William Shakespeare used light and dark imagery to compare the romance between Romeo and Juliet. This imagery is used continuously throughout the play, and each use has a slightly different meaning. The light and dark imagery plays an important role in creating mood, symbolizing love, and foreshadowing action and fate. Shakespeare first used light and dark imagery during the Capulet ball (Act I, Scene 5), when Romeo and Juliet fall in love with each other across the dance floor. Romeo says, O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night Like a rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear- Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear! So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows.... When Romeo sees Juliet for the first time, her stunning beauty amazes him. Romeo describes Juliet as a source of light, like a star, in the darkness. He also compares her to a bright jewel against the dark skin of an Et
For thou wilt lie upon the wings of night. Give me my Romeo; and, when he shall die, But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? The biggest and most profound use of light and dark imagery occurs in the famous balcony scene (Act II, Scene 2). This scene, combined with the imagery, describes the flourishing romance between the two lovers. Romeo states, The last scene of the play, appropriately, takes place in the dark of night at the Capulet tomb. Previously in the play, Romeo and Juliet's relationship flourished at night, and each provided the other with warming light. In his final speech (Act IV, Scene 3) Romeo once again uses light and dark imagery to describe Juliet as she acts as source of light in the darkness of tomb. Romeo says, "For here lies Juliet, and her beauty makes this vault a feasting presence full of light." It is the East, and Juliet is the sun!
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Approximate Word count = 1015
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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