Imagery

Light and Darkness Imagery:

In the Shakespeare play Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare uses many literary devices such as Imagery. Light and darkness imagery was used a lot in the play to develop plot, setting, theme and mood. In the play darkness is seen as a good thing this is because Romeo and Juliet get to be together. Therefore, light is seen as a disappointing for the couple because Romeo has to leave. An example in the play of light and darkness imagery is shown when Romeo says,"More light and light, more dark and dark our woes!".(Shakespeare III.v.36). This is when Romeo is talking about how more light is coming which means morning is soon ahead. This develops mood in away it adds a sense of urgency because when the sun comes up that means the couple must leave each other. This shows that what Romeo and Juliet have is true love and that they do not want to be separated. Another example of light and darkness imagery is when Benvolio says, "Blind is his love, and best befits the dark" (Shakespeare.II.ii.32). Benvolio is talking about Romeo's love for Juliet. He is saying that Romeo does not know what true love is because he falls in and out of it so very quickly. This line develop plot because it shows that they will never truly be able to be together. It also helps develop the theme "love is fickle" because how quickly Romeo falls in and out of love. Shakespeare uses imagery as a way to develop plot, setting, theme and mood as shown above.





Death Imagery:



Shakespeare's use of death imagery in the play Romeo and Juliet to development many things such as plot and mood. 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). Plot is also developed by foreshadowing the death of Juliet when she says that she is able to kill herself that is implying her death. Mood is developed in this quote because Juliet is declaring that she is going to be an independent women, and finally admits that if her plans failed she is able to kill herself. Another example of death imagery used in the play is "O God, I have an ill-diving soul! Methinks I see 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. 54-57). This is used to develop the plot as well as the mood in the play.  Juliet is talking about how Romeo is so far away. Mood is developed because the mood which Juliet finally says that she loves Romeo and does not want him to be far away. Plot is being developed here because it is foreshadowing the death of Romeo by discussing about a tomb. The tomb which in the end is where Romeo and Juliet both die.