Night And Day Imagery

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The Night and Day Imagery of Romeo and Juliet Portrayed in One Night and Day William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is about two young teenagers, who are passionately in love with each other, but whose families are rivals. The dilemma of Juliet being a Capulet and Romeo a Montague prevents them from easily being in a relationship together. As the play progresses some unfortunate misunderstandings lead to their ultimate death. The play depicts the strong sense of Romeo and Juliet’s deep love through the expression of night and day imagery. One significant use of night and day imagery in this play shows how instantly Romeo and Juliet fall in love with each other. Romeo first spots Juliet across a dance hall at her party and immediately says “O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! / It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night / Like a rich jewel in an Ethiop’s ear” (1.5.49-52). Based on this quote, the reader can imagine how divine Juliet seems to Romeo at the first sight. According to Romeo, the power of her beauty makes the torches around the hall appear to grow dim. He further illustrates how the darkness complements Juliet’s pulchritude, which is similar to the jewelry that shines and stands out on an African’s ear. An additional purpose of night and day imagery is to describe the passion in which Romeo professes his affection for Juliet while admiring her good looks. Shakespeare accurately renders a descriptive and enchanting image of Juliet from Romeo’s point of view: But soft! What light yonder window breaks? It is the East, and Juliet is the sun! Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, Who is already sick and pale with grief That thou her maid art far more fair than she. (2.2.2-6) Atop Juliet’s grand balcony, just after their first meeting, these two lovers meet once again. At first Romeo is
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