Light Over Dark: The Choice Romeo And Juliet Didn’T Make

Light Over Dark: The Choice Romeo and Juliet Didn’t Make

The purpose of the light/dark motif in Romeo and Juliet is to show how Romeo and Juliet are unable to tell light from dark, or good from bad. I think everyone has the potential to discern what choices lead to “light” and what choices keep them in the “dark”. So Romeo and Juliet had that potential but I don’t think they wanted to know about that, since nothing else mattered to them but them. In this play, Romeo and Juliet do never make a clear choice of light over dark because they almost do not want to deal that decision in the midst of their romantic bliss. They could have brought their situation, which was becoming more of a mess each day, into the light by speaking openly about it. However that would’ve ended, I think the feud would have to be reconciled in some way and I’m sure Romeo and Juliet would not have lost their lives doing this. By ignoring their responsibilities and ignoring the darkness that was impeding upon them, Romeo and Juliet in essence allow tragedy to befall them both.

In the first scene, Romeo is depressed because his love for Rosaline is a one-way love. His parents are worried because Romeo spends all his time in the dark. Even when it is light, he shrouds himself in darkness to reflect his dreary mood: Away from the light steals home my heavy son / And private in his chamber pens himself / Shuts up his windows, locks fair daylight out / And makes himself an artificial night (I. I. 137-140). This light/dark imagery shows that Romeo is choosing to keep himself engaged in a relationship which will always be at this inevitable stand-still, since Rosaline doesn’t return Romeo’s love, and has vowed chastity. This choice to remain at a stand-still keeps Romeo in the dark because he is not moving on in his life and facing the myriad of other romantic possibilities.

Benvolio helps bring Romeo back into the light by taking him to a feast where he meets Juliet, who is brighter to Romeo than anything in Capulet’s house: O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! (I.V. 44). Although, Romeo did feel unease earlier when he was going to this party with his friends: I fear, too early: for my mind misgives / Some consequence yet hanging in the stars / Shall bitterly begin his fearful date (I.