The Use Of Light And Dark Imagery In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet contributes a portion of it’s popularity due to it’s almost eccentric use of dramatic irony and other literary instances, (some of which are pioneered by Shakespeare himself), which makes it difficult for the reader to lose interest. Imagery, a common example of a literary device, is the articulate formation of words to develop a vivid “scene” in the reader’s mind. There are many subcategories of imagery, albeit this particular essay will specifically cover his continuous usage of “Light and Dark Imagery”, which are forms of imagery that reference nouns resembling literal “light” objects in conjunction with being “good” objects, and vice versa. In this Shakespeare classic, Light and Dark imagery is used to convey and to even “exaggerate” Romeo’s love for Juliet, and Juliet’s love for Romeo.

One famous example would occur just before Romeo’s departure of Juliet’s room, as shown: “It was the nightingale, - and not the lark/That pierced the fearful hollow of thine ear” (3.5.2-3) This usage of dark imagery relies on the reader’s priorly-obtained background knowledge of nightingales and larks. Nightingales, as the name suggests, chirp only during late at night or early in the morning, when the light eludes the sky; and thus making it dark imagery. Larks, on the other hand, sing their tune only during the morning. The quote explanation goes on Romeo’s inquiry from which he believes the birds chirping outside are larks, and thereby knowing it is morning. However, Juliet, (likely out of desperation), challenges Romeo’s remarks and tells him that the tunes outside belong to that of Nightingales, and so it must be night. It is likely that these opinions have some biased belief, as Juliet wishes not Romeo to go, and, while Romeo has the same desire; realizes he must go before his presence is