Romeo And Juliet - Light Means Life
Light Means Life
The beautiful song of the yellow-breasted lark is a signal that dawn has finally arrived after a lengthy period of darkess. In Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, light and dark imagery is used quite frequently. Darkness is seen as favourable to some characters in the play, as during the day, a raging feud between two opposing families in merciless. Night is a time when lovers can be together and meet in secret. Occasionally, characters will debate over the existence of night or day, because it means the difference between love and hatred. Shakespeare uses images of light during darkness as symbols of the love of Romeo and Juliet in a world filled with hatred and depression.
Hatred and depression often cause arguments. Because there is such a difference between light and dark, characters argue over the existence of night and day.
At one point in the play, Romeo and Juliet are arguing over whether they heard the song of the lark or the nightingale. For if it is the lark, it is day and Romeo must leave for Mantua, but if it the nightingale, it is night and Romeo can be with Juliet.
"JULIET: Wilt though be gone? It is not yet near day.
It was the nightingale, and not the lark,
That pierced the fearful hollow of thine ear;"
(Act III, Scene v, 1-3)
This quote demonstrates the great difference between day and night, and how much the existence of day means to characters. Romeo and Juliet can only see eachother during the night, and therefore they see night as a time of love and peace. Romeo knows that he must leave however, or else he will be put to death and never see his love again.
"ROMEO: It was the lark, the herald of the morn,
No nightingale. Look love, what envious streaks
Do lace the severing clouds in yonder east.
Night's candles are burntout, and jocund day
Stands tiptoe on the misty mountain tops.
I must be gone and...
View Full Essay