In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare’s use of light and dark imagery portrays the tumultuous nature of young love. At the beginning, darkness symbolizes the despair Romeo feels because of love. Romeo is tormented by his desire for Rosaline. This affection is unreciprocated, so he falls into depression and literally shrouds himself in darkness. His father says Romeo, “Shuts up his windows, locks fair daylight out, / And makes himself an artificial night. / Black and portentous must this humor prove, / Unless good counsel may this cause remove” (1.1.142-145). Like many adults’ view on teenaged problems, Lord Montague is condescending in describing his son’s state. He implies that Romeo’s reaction to Rosaline’s scorn is overdramatic. However, his
