Imagery

Imagery makes something stand out and speaks to our emotions

Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is full of imagery such as metaphors, personification, and similes. Imagery (or figurative language) often has the effect of making the text come alive to us. Thus, imagery is typically a much better way to appeal to our emotions compared to plain language. Here, we go into detail with metaphors and personification in the play.

Metaphors

When Romeo and Juliet meet for the first time, they have a flirty conversation in which they essentially discuss if Romeo should be allowed to kiss Juliet. This conversation is full of religious metaphors, which we have underlined here:

Romeo
If I profane with my unworthiest hand
This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this:
My ...