How Does Shakespeare Use Celestial Imagery In Romeo And Juliet

How are stars related to fate and love? In the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, the play uses celestial imagery to express Romeo and Juliet’s love for each other. In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, celestial imagery reflects on Romeo and Juliet’s love for each other being a result of fate, thus exposing the never-changing fate. Shakespeare often uses stars as a metaphor for fate. Romeo and his friends are going to Capulet’s party. He starts talking with Benvolio and Mercutio, Romeo says, “I fear too early, for my mind misgives /Some consequence yet hanging in the stars /Shall bitterly begin his fearful date / With this night’s revels, and expire the term /Of a despised life closed in my breast /By some vile forfeit of untimely

The quote “Some consequence yet hanging in the stars” shows that some decisions are already fated and that humans are influenced by forces far beyond their control. After Montague’s party, Romeo decides to spy on Juliet. He hides in a bush while listening to Juliet speak. Romeo compliments, “The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars / As daylight doth a lamp; her eye in heaven / Would through the airy region stream so bright / That birds would sing and think it were not night” (2.2.20-23). Shakespeare comparing Juliet’s cheek’s brightness to a star is proving that he uses stars as a standard of beauty. This comparison would suggest that a person’s cheek is so bright and beautiful it would put the stars to shame, showing how Juliet’s beauty is so remarkable it challenges the stars, proving their love is destined and fated to be extraordinary. When Romeo hears of Juliet’s death, he becomes devastated and heartbroken. Romeo screams, “Is it e’en so? Then I defy you stars!--” (5.1.25). Stars are believed to be fated, so Romeo is expressing his defiance towards

When Romeo kills Tybalt, he runs to Friar Lawrence. There he receives the news of his punishment of banishment. Romeo whines, “Tis torture and not mercy. Heaven is here / Where Juliet lives, and every cat and dog / And little mouse, every unworthy thing / Live here in heaven and may look on here, / But Romeo may not” (3.3.31-35). When Romeo whines that without Juliet nowhere is heaven, it shows the idea that Juliet’s presence is heavenly and without her would be like hell. This would highlight the depth of Romeo’s love for Juliet, suggesting they were fated to be together. As Romeo gets married to Juliet, they decide to exchange vows. Romeo starts, “Lady, by yonder blessed moon I vow, / That tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops–” and Juliet responds, / “O, swear not by the moon, th’ inconstant moon, / That monthly changes in here circled orb, / Lest that thy love prove likewise variable” (2.2.112-116). Romeo swears his love by the moon for Juliet, which he sees as a symbol of beauty. However, Juliet rejects his idea as she points out the moon is forever changing. This conversation reflects the idea that love, like the moon, is unpredictable and changeable, showing love is in fate's