How Does Shakespeare Use Light And Dark In Romeo And Juliet

“It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light” (Aristotle). In other words, Aristotle means even during the darkest times of someone’s life, they must seek light to pull them out of the dark. This philosophy is similarly reflected in Shakespeare’s famous drama, The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare uses light and dark imagery to emphasize the calamity and to make the emotions of his main characters more apparent. The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is likely the most well known love story of all time, but there is much more to the plot than two star crossed lovers forbidden to be together. Romeo and Juliet serve as each other’s light; however, their love flourishes in the darkness. Juliet also acts as a light for

Shakespeare enhances his work with light and dark imagery to reveal Romeo and Juliet’s everlasting love for each other; he constantly uses this imagery which develops parallelism, emphasizing the main ideas running throughout the piece.

Shakespeare’s most obvious symbol of light is Juliet in Romeo’s life. At the beginning of the play, Romeo always subjects himself to the darkness, as he loves Rosaline, but she doesn’t love him back. He constantly feels sorry for himself and can’t seem to find happiness. He would rather envelop himself with darkness than with light. Lord Montague especially reveals his son’s sorrow when he claims, “Should in the farthest East begin to draw/ The shady curtains from Aurora’s bed/ Away from light steals home my heavy son/ And private in his chamber pens himself/ Shuts up his windows, locks fair daylight out/ And makes himself an artificial night” (I. i. 143-148). Everyone can see Romeo’s anguish, but

Although Romeo most frequently compares her to the light, Paris and Lord Montague do so as well. The reader sees the light comparison in Romeo’s words most often, as he states things like, “It is the east, and Juliet is the sun/ Arise fair sun, and kill the envious moon” (II. ii. _-_). This is just one of copious examples in which Juliet serves as Romeo’s light. From his words, the reader gains insight to Romeo’s feelings, being that Juliet serves as the only light he has. Likewise, Shakespeare depicts Juliet as the light illuminating Paris’s life. Though Juliet loves Romeo, Paris sincerely wants to marry Juliet. He has genuine intentions, and truly loves her. Juliet acts as the main light brightening Paris’s life. Even when Romeo kills Paris, his last dying wish is to lay next to Juliet in the tomb. Further, Juliet also acts as a light in Lord Montague’s life following her and Romeo’s deaths. He decides to raise a gold statue of Juliet in honor of her love for his son after they die. Montague realizes Juliet was the only bliss in his son’s life, even though she was a Capulet. He comes to the realization that because she serves as the light highlighting Romeo’s life, she in turns serves as the only light left for him. Juliet seemingly translates to Montague’s only happiness, as he recognizes she made Romeo cheerful and lively. In result, Montague vows to take after