Look back through the play to find as many light and dark images as you can. In each case, identify the context; who is speaking? When and where? What kind of effects do these images have?

Light and dark imagery:

Act 1 scene 1- scene 4

Montague says:
Away from light steals home my heavy son
Shut up his windows, locks fair daylight out
And makes himself an artificial night
He talks about Romeo as he is depressed and locked himself in a room.

Capulet says:
At my poor house look to behold this night
Earth treading stars that make heaven light
He means there will be a lot of beautiful ladies at the party and their beauties will light up the night sky.

Romeo says:
Give me a torch: I am not for this ambling
Being but heavy, I will bear the light
Romeo said this to Benvolio at Capulet party. He doesn’t want to wear a mask because he is in the bad mood, heavy and he will stand still and carry the light.

Romeo says:
But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks?
It is the east, and Juliet is the sun
Romeo said this to Juliet. He is saying that her beauty is like the sun.
Shining beauty, pure, shiny.

Romeo says:
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
Romeo said this to Juliet at the balcony. He is saying that he does not want the sun to arise because that means he will have to go home and there are chances that he will see Juliet again.

Act 1 scene 5

Romeo 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 Ethiope's ear;
Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!
So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows,
As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows

Romeo describes Juliet's beauty in terms of dark and light. "She doth teach the torches to burn bright,” means both