Romeo And Juliet Birds Analysis

601 Words3 Pages
Imagery of the bird in Romeo and Juliet William Shakespeare uses numerous images of birds throughout Romeo and Juliet. Most often, these birds are associated with lovers. From common crows to elegant swans, from doves to falcons, from nightingales to larks, specific and general birds play an important role in defining the relationships between lovers. Characters refer to others and to themselves with bird imagery, and the appearance (or songs) of actual birds highlights moments of significance in this play. By using multiple images of birds, Shakespeare conveys much more about his characters than might originally meet the eye. Throughout the play, Shakespeare uses images of birds to compare individuals – especially women. In Act 1, Benvolio attempts to convince Romeo that he will recover from his rejection by Rosaline if only he will look at other young women. Benvolio urges Romeo to attend the Capulet’s party where Sups the fair Rosaline whom thou so loves With all the admired beauties of Verona. Go thither, and with unattainted eye Compare her face with some that I shall show, And I will make thee think thy swan a crow. (1.3.90-94) Indeed at the party, Romeo discovers Juliet, and…show more content…
Here, he uses the image of birds singing in response to Juliet’s beauty that shines as brightly as the sun. When Juliet discovers Romeo in the garden and rightly wonders how he came to be there, he answers “With love’s light wings did I o’erperch these walls” (2.2.71). Romeo now presents himself as birdlike, and says that his love for Juliet enabled him to fly over the walls that separated him from
Open Document