Shakespeare’s Use of Language and Imagery in Romeo and Juliet

Shakespeare’s Use of Language and Imagery in Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare, is a dramatic love story

between to 16th Century lovers, this essay will consider the imagery

and language Shakespeare uses and how this establishes Romeo and

Juliet as 16th Century lovers.

When Romeo first set eyes on Juliet at the Capulet ball he

compliments her, “cheek of night,” Romeo thinks she is soft and looks

superb. He describes her as a “rich jewel” as she shines and is full

of beauty, Shakespeare compares Juliet against an unattractive

background of an “Ethiop’s ear” which makes her be prominent and be

stunning. Juliet is “beauty too rich for use, for Earth too dear,” she

is too attractive and valuable for this Earth. Juliet’s loveliness

stands out amongst the ugly, “so shows a snowy dove trooping with

crows.” Romeo speaks of Juliet’s angelic qualities; her persona

affects him positively, influencing his speech. In the closing lines

of this extract Romeo denies his sight as he has “ne’er saw true

beauty till this night,” Romeo is so astounded by Juliet’s splendour

he doesn’t believe she’s real.

Act 1 Scene 5: lines 92 to 109 is a Shakespearean sonnet, a love poem

made up of 14 lines- 3 quatrains and 1 rhyming couplet. Romeo

“profanes” with his “unworthiest hand.” Shakespeare calls Juliet’s

hand “this holy shrine, the gentle sin is this,” Romeo doesn’t think

it is a big sin. Shakespeare uses religious imagery such as Romeo’s

lips like “two blushing pilgrims, ready stand.” His lips are like two

travellers on a journey to reach their god. Juliet continues his

imagery, “Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much,” Romeo’s hand

shows proper respect in touching her hand. By Romeo and Juliet both

using metaphors like “holy palmers,” “saints, “pilgrims” and “pray,”

Shakespeare is confirming the purity of their love. “Have not saints

lips, and holy palmers too?” “Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in

prayer,” Juliet tells Romeo saints only use their lips for prayer.