Images Of Light And Darkness I
In his play, Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare weaves a timeless tale. Although it is over 400 years old, Romeo and Juliet, is as interesting today as it was at its inception and my guess is that its appeal lies in its subject matter.
Shakepeare picked a theme that’s been known to cause indigestion and sleep loss for centuries. And yet, regardless of the ills associated with it, it remains a topic of worldwide interest. And that is simply, love.
My mother says that love is one of the most overused, misunderstood words in the English language. Over time, I’ve asked friends what they thought “it” was. I’ve always received differing answers. It’s when he opens the door. It’s when she does ...
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is all there is. They also say in order to truly know something, one must know it’s opposite. To know hot, one must experience cold. To know sorrow, one must have known joy. To love, one must hate. (Or at least come pretty damned close to it.) Without darkness, one cannot appreciate light.
Professors of English say that the greatest writers are those who can “hook” their readers. Those who can propel a story forward. Divide and contrast. Divide and contrast, they say. Friction produced by opposing forces creates great drama. Shakespeare is a great dramatist.
In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare opens with a prologue that basically outlines the entire play. After finishing line fourteen, the reader isn’t required to continue reading because he/she knows the outcome. Shakespeare has given the reader the end. There really is no reason to read on. And yet they do.
The reader continues because Shakespeare was a genius at creating dramatic tension. In Romeo and Juliet, he ...
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of the scene Shakespeare introduces a spice to Juliet’s character. We begin to see her as “lively,” “independent,” and “cocksure,” it is obvious that she inhabits a much “lighter” emotional world than does Romeo.
By introducing Romeo in “darkness,” and Juliet in “light,” Shakespeare sets the stage for a contrast that he utilizes throughout the play. Romeo’s darkness doesn’t last long however.
In Act I, Scene IV, Romeo is still moping about lost love. Even though he’s on his way to a dance, Romeo claims he wants to carry a torch, he has no interest in dancing. Mercutio, his witty friend, continually prods him until Romeo begins what becomes a playful and witty exchange of words. ...
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Images Of Light And Darkness I. (2005, September 12). Retrieved April 23, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Images-Of-Light-And-Darkness-I/33141
"Images Of Light And Darkness I." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 12 Sep. 2005. Web. 23 Apr. 2024. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Images-Of-Light-And-Darkness-I/33141>
"Images Of Light And Darkness I." Essayworld.com. September 12, 2005. Accessed April 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Images-Of-Light-And-Darkness-I/33141.
"Images Of Light And Darkness I." Essayworld.com. September 12, 2005. Accessed April 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Images-Of-Light-And-Darkness-I/33141.
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