In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare uses death imagery in many ways for many different purposes. One example of this is "O God, I have an ill-diving soul!/ Methinks I see now, thou art so low,/ As one dead in the bottom of a tomb./ Either my eyesight fails, or thou look'st pale"(Shakespeare. III. V. 54-57).This is used to develop the plot as well as the mood in the play. The plot is developed because it foreshadows the death of Romeo by discussing a tomb. The mood is developed because it is Juliet talking about how Romeo seems so far away developing the mood by Juliet finally saying that she basically loves Romeo and does not want him to be so far away. Another example of death imagery used by Shakespeare is "Is there no pity sitting in the clouds/ That sees into the bottom of my grief?/ O sweet my mother, cast me not away!/ Delay this marriage for a month, a week,/ Or if you do not, make the bridal bed/ In that dim monument where Tybalt lies"(Shakespeare. III.V. 196-201). Shakespeare uses the death imagery here to illustrate how much Juliet is willing to do to avoid the marriage between her and Pairs. In addition, Shakespeare is developing Juliet's character at this point in the book. Juliet is asking her mother to postpone the wedding or sentence her to her death as laying in her grave would be better than marrying Paris. Lastly, Shakespeare also uses death imagery when it says "Is it more sin to wish me thus forsworn,/ Or to dispraise my lord with that same tongue/ Which she hath prais'd him with above compare/ So many thousand times? Go, Counsellor,/ Thou and my bosom henceforth shall be twain./ I'll to the Friar to know his remedy; / If all else fail, myself have power to die(Shakespeare.III.V.236-242). Shakespeare is using this as suspense for the reader. This suspense allows us to believe that Juliet will commit suicide if the Friar cannot fix her and Romeo's relationship so they can somehow be together.
Light and Darkness Imagery
Light and Darkness imagery is used multiple times throughout the play Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare does this to develop the literary devices used in the play. In the play, darkness is seen as a good thing because it is when Romeo and Juliet get to be together. The light is therefore seen as a disappointing time for the couple as Romeo has to leave. With this, Shakespeare uses light imagery when it says, "It was the lark, the herald of the morn,/ No nightingale. Look, love, what envious streaks/ Do lace the serving clouds in yonder east:/ Night's candles are burnt out, and jocund day/ Stands tiptoe on the misty mountain tops./ I must be gone and live, or stay and die"(Shakespeare.III.iv.6-11). Shakespeare uses this quote to develop setting. The light develops the setting because it is when the morning has come and Romeo has to leave. Romeo relates having to leave to death as death is just as bad as leaving his love Juliet. To add, Shakespeare uses light and darkness imagery when the book says, "A thousand times the worse, to want thy light./Love goes toward love as schoolboys from their books,/ But love from love, toward school with heavy looks"(Shakespeare.II.ii.155-1157). Shakespeare uses this light imagery to develop the plot and character. It develops the plot because Romeo compares the fact that leaving Juliet would as dreadful as a schoolboy on his way to school in the morning. Also, Romeo is now sharing his true feelings for Juliet knowing the possible consequences from his family who have constantly argued with Juliet's family. Furthermore, Romeo's character is developed because it is proving his true compassion for Juliet. Shakespeare uses the imagery here to show how in love Romeo has fallen so quickly. He relates his love to the enthusiasm of a schoolboy getting to leave school. This also shows his enthusiasm towards his love for Juliet.
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