ENGLISH ESSAYS

In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the images of light and dark are one of the most constant visual motifs throughout the play. Characters, such as Benvolio, Juliet, and Romeo, who exhibit goodness, innocence, and love are often seen either giving off light, discussing light, or are in the presence of light. Characters who exhibit violence, evil, and death are often associated with darkness. Light is presented as a conqueror of darkness as well as emblematic of purity and hope. The main characters, Romeo and Juliet, who experience the light think that this light will never fade. It is clear, however, that by the end of the play darkness has consumed any remaining light for these tragic lovers, Romeo and Juliet. In this essay, I will show how light is presented at some of the highest points in the play, and how darkness is shown at some of the lowest parts.Romeo and Rosaline

The very first mention of Romeo in the play is almost instantly followed by associations with light and with darkness. After Montague’s wife asks Benvolio whether or not he has seen Romeo, he responds with, “…an hour before the worshiped sun / Peered forth the golden window of the east,…so early walking did I see your son” (I.1.117-22). After this Montague complains that Romeo has been avoiding light and is very depressed. Montague, while explaining to Benvolio what Romeo has been up to, says:

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.1.136-39).

These two images of dark and light are contrasting. The light is seen as a healthy and good thing, while the darkness is seen as representing and deepening Romeo’s depression. This imagery of darkness is associated with Romeo’s depression, which is caused by Rosaline. Rosaline does not reciprocate Romeo’s love. Rosaline is also associated with darkness. Not because she is depressed, like Romeo, but because she