Light And Dark Imagery In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

“Yes, it was love at first sight. I feel that after all these years, I have finally found my soul mate” (Barbara Hershey). In Act Two, Scene Two of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, Romeo sneaks into Capulet’s territory and spots Juliet on her balcony. In Romeo’s monologue, he describes Juliet as an alluring beauty. Romeo illustrates Juliet’s beauty using light and dark imagery. For example, while Romeo stares at Juliet, he asserts, “It is the East, and Juliet is the sun. / Arise my fair sun and kill the envious moon” (2.2.3-4). In the midst of dark night, Romeo views Juliet as the bright center of the universe. With glistening elegance, Juliet seems to have grasp Romeo’s heart in her palms. In addition, he further expresses, “The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars, / As daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven” (2.2.19-20). Romeo believes Juliet’s cheeks are more beautiful than the brightness in the sky. To Romeo, the stars do not have to play their roles as the lights of the sky because Juliet’s face does the job better. Romeo mainly references the brightest objects

For instance, when Romeo witness Juliet’s lips move, he proclaims, “Her eyes discourses; I will answer it. / I am too bold, ’tis not to me she speaks” (2.2.13-14). Despite being the Prince of Montague, Romeo worries that Juliet’s feelings will not reciprocate. Although Romeo is just beneath Juliet’s balcony, Romeo feels like he is very distant from reaching Juliet. Furthermore, as Romeo watches Juliet lean on her hand, he states, “See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand! / O, that I were a glove upon that hand, / That I might touch that cheek!” (2.2.23-25). Romeo can only wish to be a glove in order to touch Juliet’s holiness. His drops his high rank to a simple object when he sees Juliet. Romeo has become a shy, but desirous character who wants Juliet’s love but has no way to approach her