Romeo and Juliet
In three (or less) paragraphs discuss whether Shakespeare alludes to night in a positive or negative way. Noting as may instances you can d=find where the word night appears then determine whether the word has a positive or negative connotation.
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To determine whether Shakespeare alludes to night in a positive or negative way in Romeo and Juliet, we can analyze the instances where the word "night" appears and assess its connotations. Here are a few examples:
1. Act 2, Scene 2: The famous balcony scene features Romeo uttering the line, "What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun." Here, the contrast between light and darkness suggests that night represents secrecy and forbidden love, alluding to a negative connotation.
2. Act 1, Scene 5: During the Capulet's party, Romeo initially declares, "O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night," implying that Juliet's beauty outshines even the darkness of the night. In this instance, the connotation of night is positive, symbolizing Juliet's allure and captivating presence.
3. Act 5, Scene 3: In the final scene, as Romeo and Juliet both tragically die, Romeo speaks his last lines: "Here's to my love! O true apothecary, thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die." This reinforces the notion that night serves as a backdrop for illicit affairs and untimely deaths, reinforcing the negative connotation associated with it.
Considering these instances and others throughout the play, Shakespeare's use of the word "night" appears to carry both positive and negative connotations. On one hand, night represents secrecy, forbidden love, and tragic outcomes. On the other hand, it can be associated with alluring beauty and passion. The dual nature of the connotations reflects the complexities and contrasts within Romeo and Juliet's love story.