Imagery

Light and Darkness Imagery:

Light and darkness imagery is continually used by Shakespeare to develop both setting and mood. Romeo and Juliet view darkness as a good time when they can be together, and see light as a sad time when Romeo must leave. Imagery is shown when Romeo says,"More light and light, more dark and dark our woes!".(Shakespeare III.v.36). When Romeo talks about how more light and light is coming it tells that sunrise is slowly progressing. Light and darkness imagery used here develops mood by adding a sense of urgency that as the sun continues to rise, it means that the 2 lovers must soon be separated. The love Romeo and Juliet share is shown, along with their grief of being separated. Another example of light and darkness imagery is when Friar Lawrence says,"The grey-ey'd morn smiles on the frowning, Check'ring the eastern clouds with streaks of light; And fleckled darkness like a drunkard reels".(Shakespeare II.iii.1-3). The Friar says this when he is in his garden witnessing the sunrise. The imagery used here helps to develop setting by giving a brief description of dawn's light and dark colours. When the Friar says that morning is frowning, he is referring to the fact that as morning approaches, he knows that the 2 lovers must be separated and it gives a feeling of uncertainty.

Death Imagery:
Shakespeare's use of death imagery in the tragic play, Romeo and Juliet, is used for the development of many things such as mood and plot. There is also foreshadowing woven in through the imagery. An example of death imagery is when Juliet says,"Thou and my bosom henceforth shall be twain. I'll to the Friar to know his remedy; If all else fail, myself have power to die"(Shakespeare III.v.240-242). During Juliet's soliloquy, her inner thoughts are revealed, and she says that she is no longer going to confide in her nurse. Mood is developed because Juliet is saying that she is going to be independent, and she finally admits that if her plans fail, she is able to kill herself. Plot is also developed by foreshadowing the death of Juliet. When she says that she is able to kill herself that is alluding to her death, implying that she is going to be the one to kill herself. Another example of death imagery is when Juliet is looking down to Romeo from her balcony and says, " O God, I have an ill-divining soul! Methinks I see the now, thou art so low, As one dead in the bottom of a tomb. Either my eyesight fails, or thou look'st pale"(Shakespeare III.v.55-57). Mood is developed because Juliet is saying how she feels as though Romeo is dead when he is not with her. Furthermore, Juliet is admitting her love for Romeo, and expressing her grief at being separated from him. Plot is also developed by foreshadowing the death of Romeo by mentioning a tomb. Lastly, death imagery is used when Romeo says, "Do thou but close our hands with holy words, Then love-devouring Death do what he dare, It is enough I may buy call her mine"(Shakespeare II.vi.6-8). Mood is developed here because Romeo is explaining that he loves Juliet so much, that all he wants to do is be able to call her his own. Furthermore, he says that love-destroying death can do whatever it pleases, which alludes to the death of Romeo and Juliet. Therefore, their deaths are going to be caused by their love for each other.