Throughout Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare makes effective use of imagery that is related to the sky. How does this imagery help the audience to gain a greater understanding of the characters and/or central themes.

The use of imagery related to the sky that is used in throughout Romeo and Juliet, has a significant understanding towards the Audience. The characters, central themes, and lyrics/poems that are used throughout the play develop this.

Romeo in particular often refers to Juliet as the sun, as she brings him light and joy. He also relates her to heaven, because she is so delicate and precious to him "As glorious to this night, As is a winge'd messenger of heaven... And sails apon the blossom of the air" (Act 2, Scene 2, lines 27-32). "It is east, and Juliet is the sun, Arise fair sun, and kill the envious moon" (Act 2, scene 2, lines 3-4). In this quote, Shakespear has described Juliet as the sun, who kills the envious moon, which in this case is Romeo. Therefore, she is refered to as the sun who brings light in the day, and he is the moon who sparkles at night. This is so significant and helps the audience to understand their romantic relationship. Such words, like these is very easy to understand, which helps identify the relationship between the two young lovers.

Although the sky is used through the caracters of Romeo and Juliet often, it is also used through other characters in the play, but often only when they are speaking of the two's love. The other common characters which use this effective imagery and theme is often the Nurse and Friar Lawrence. Because these characters are one of the few that know about their secret relationship they often share their oppinion and offer their advice to the young couple.

Throughout the play, Shakespear has been very affective in the way which he used these themes and techniques of refering to the sky. It gave me as a reader of the play, a much greater understanding of what was going on, and allowed me to relate more to the play. Many of the quotes that he used where simple but effective if you were able to comprehend what they ment, and which context they were used in.