Understanding William Shakespeare’s Works Essay Example

the sun, moon, stars, fire, lightning, gunpowder flash, and the reflection of beauty and love. Conversely, darkness is depicted through night, clouds, rain, mist, and smoke. Shakespeare utilizes light to convey Romeo's feelings towards Juliet, comparing her beauty to the brightness of the sun and the moon. For instance, in Act I, Scene V, Lines 43-49, Romeo describes Juliet's beauty as surpassing that of any earthly jewel. Similarly, in Act II, Scene II, Lines 4-8, Romeo compares Juliet's beauty to the radiance of the moon.Shakespeare utilized the concept of light to convey various ideas. In the play Romeo and Juliet, he describes Juliet as the sun rising in the East, surpassing the envious moon in beauty. Additionally, he relates light to movement, illustrating the romantic nature of the story.

A notable instance is the statement made by Friar Laurence in Act II Scene VI, where he likens the romance between Romeo and Juliet to fireworks – bringing immediate joy, but ultimately ending tragically: “[t]hese violent delights have violent ends And in their triumph die, like fire and powder.” Similarly, through the use of imagery throughout the play, Shakespeare effectively portrays the bleak situation of the lovers. For instance, Friar Lawrence describes how the morning light shines on the dark night, mingling with patches of darkness that stagger like a drunkard, symbolizing the uncertainty and lack of hope for Romeo and Juliet's fate. This statement also foreshadows the dangerous path that lies ahead for them. The famous chorus of the play also employs imagery to depict fate and foreshadowing, constantly reminding the audience of what will unfold: “In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, From ancient

grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;” These vivid imageries contribute to establishing the unique tone and pace of the play, making it all the more captivating and remarkable according to the author's belief.According to Charney in her book Shakespeare's Roman Plays, the absence of these elements would reduce Romeo and Juliet to a simple love story. In Julius Caesar (1599), Charney argues that the central imagery revolves around the storm and its symbolism of conspiracy and tyranny, as well as blood and fire (42).

The imagery of blood and fire suggests assassination and civil strife (Id) and is depicted in Shakespeare's stage directions. Specifically, Shakespeare instructs thunder and lightning to be present at the opening of Act I, scene III (id, 43). Furthermore, according to Charney, this storm imagery in the heavens mirrors an impending conflict on earth (id, 44-44), as expressed by Casca: "I have seen tempests... Did I go through a tempest dropping fire... Either there is a civil strife in heaven, Or else the world, too saucy with the gods, Incenses them to send destruction." It is important to note that these thunder instructions recur in two other parts of the play.

In Act II, scene I, and in Act I, scene III line 100, Shakespeare uses the imagery of thunder to create a sense of stillness and foreboding (id, 43). The presence of blood also holds great significance in the play, particularly in relation to Julius Caesar's death. Charney suggests that the portrayal of Caesar's death as a symbol of

purification and new life may have been influenced by Rome's tradition of blood-letting (48). Additionally, blood serves as a symbol of guilt and internal conflict for Brutus. He wishes to be sacrificial rather than like a butcher, recognizing that there is no blood in the spirit of men but accepting that Caesar must bleed for his cause (49). Fire is another powerful imagery used in the play, representing passion, destruction, and purification (Charney, 60). Through the use of these vivid imageries, Shakespeare effectively sets the atmosphere of the play and evokes emotions of anxiety, terror, and darkness in the audience.

The use of blood in the characters' lines highlights Caesar's death and its importance in the play. Shakespeare also employs blood to conclude the play with Brutus' demise. In Macbeth, blood and clothing are frequently referenced, intensifying feelings of fear, horror, and pain. In Act II, Scene I, Macbeth sees a bloody dagger in a hallucination foreshadowing his subconscious intent to kill the king. To become the king of Scotland, Macbeth kills him and conspires with his wife to incriminate the guards for the murder. Lady Macbeth's guilt is reflected through her use of the word "blood" as she exclaims "out, damned spot!" expressing remorse in Act V, Scene V. She questions why anyone should be afraid when no one can judge their authority and remarks on an old man having surprising amounts of blood within them while agitatedly emphasizing her need to cleanse herself by washing her hands. Additionally, Shakespeare uses clothing as a symbol depicting how ill-suited Macbeth is in his current position and suggesting that he is undeserving thereof.

The examples in Macbeth demonstrate

his futile attempt to hide his wrongdoings by disguising himself with power. However, this is ineffective as people can see through him. Angus describes Macbeth's clothes as a representation of his guilt and the consequences of his actions. The use of blood in Macbeth emphasizes the gravity of Macbeth and his wife's actions and their impact on their beings. Similarly, the use of ill-fitted clothing effectively portrays Macbeth's position and his feelings toward it. In Antony and Cleopatra, imageries of scope and dimension are utilized to convey the exaggerated state of the play (Charney, 79).

The concept of dimension or size was expressed through cosmic references, such as earth, heaven, sun, and moon (id, 80). An illustration of this is when Caesar proclaimed his readiness to search the entire world for a "hoop" to unite himself with Antony (id, 84): "[y]et if I knewWhat hoop should hold us stanch, from edge to edgeO' the world I would pursue it (2.2.117-18)." This dynamic revealed Caesar's deep love for Antony.

The same use of magnitude or boundless description can be observed in Antony's response to Cleopatra when she asked him how much he loves her - he replied, "[t]hen must thou needs find out new heaven, new earth" (Cummings, par. 4). Similarly, towards the end of the play, Cleopatra's immense sorrow is described as: "[a]ll strange and terrible events are welcome, But comforts we despise; our size of sorrow, Proportion'd to our cause, must be as great As that which makes it 4.15. 3-6 (id, 80)." These lines clearly depict the intense emotions flooding Cleopatra at that moment. Another prevalent imagery in the play is the serpent, which

symbolizes creation and a dark force (Sagar, 2). Shakespeare also uses this serpent imagery in Cleopatra's own lines: "[h]e's speaking now, Or murmuring 'Where's my serpent of old Nile?' For so he calls me (Act I Scene III)." This usage of serpent by Shakespeare to describe Cleopatra possibly alludes to the biblical passage about creation, where a serpent enticed Adam into committing a sin by offering him something delightful (apple).

Cleopatra’s character is similar to that of a serpent as she uses her beauty and charm to lure Antony away from Rome. The play successfully uses imagery to convey its themes, although it may be complicated for some. The use of serpent and size imagery helps the audience connect with the play's themes. Overall, Shakespeare's unique style of using vivid imagery to describe emotions, evoke feelings, and enable the audience to relate is evident. By incorporating universal symbols with lasting meaning, Shakespeare allows audiences today to still understand the context and meaning of his plays.