Romeo And Juliet Symbolism

Throughout the celebrated play “Romeo and Juliet,” William Shakespeare uses symbolism to explore enduring themes such as love, fate and revenge. The play, which tells the tragic story of star-crossed lovers from feuding families, uses a variety of symbols to deepen and reinforce the audience’s understanding of the play. Whether referencing the setting or the tragic end of the title characters themselves, these symbols contribute to the feelings of misfortune and despair present in the play.

Light and Darkness

The disparity between lightness and darkness is one of the play’s most significant symbols. Innocent, gentile characters like Romeo, Juliet, Mercutio and Benvolio, who display qualities of goodness are often seen during the daylight,

In Act V, when he visits the apothecary, Romeo pays him in gold, stating, ”There is thy gold / worse poison to men’s souls.” This quip highlights Romeo’s understanding that above all, money is and has been the impetus for the feuding between the two aristocratic families. As further proof that neither family has learned from the tragedy, both state they will erect golden statues in their deceased children's honor. By contrast, silver represents love and beauty, such as when Romeo states, “How silver-sweet sound lovers' tongues by night" or when a musician claims that “Music has a silver

Shakespeare weaves floral symbolism throughout the play; Romeo, the object of Juliet’s affection, is considered a “rose” -- a specific flower that symbolizes beauty and love, while Juliet’s other suitor -- the affable Paris, is considered just a “flower in faith” -- pretty, but not special in any way. At the end of the play, after Juliet takes Friar Laurence’s sleeping potion to appear dead, her bridal flowers symbolically and paradoxically become her funeral