Thumb Biting
(Click the symbolism infographic to download.)
Unless you're fluent in childish Elizabethan gestures (anyone? Bueller?), you might be wondering what the what Sampson's up to when he spots the Monta...
Sex and Death
(Click the symbolism infographic to download.)Sex and death: pretty much the opposite of each other, right? Not in Romeo and Juliet. In fact, Romeo and Juliet sees to think sex and death go togethe...
Oxymoron and Paradox
(Click the symbolism infographic to download.)If you like jumbo shrimp or boneless ribs, then you and Shakespeare have something in common: you both like oxymora. An oxymoron is a Greek expression...
Plants and Poison
(Click the symbolism infographic to download.)What doesn't kill you makes you stronger—unless it puts you into a near-death state that fools your husband. The point is, poison (and medicine) are...
Queen Mab
(Click the symbolism infographic to download.)First things first: if you haven't already, go back and read Mercutio's Queen Mab speech in Act I, Scene 4. (Or give yourself a little treat, and watch...
Light in Darkness
(Click the symbolism infographic to download.)Like a candle in the darkness, the imagery of light in dark comes up a lot in Romeo and Juliet. "O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright," Romeo s...
Night
(Click the symbolism infographic to download.)Night is a pretty important time in the play. It's when all the passionate love scenes occur so, night seems to shelter and protects the lovers, while...
Love
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Say what you will about Baz Luhrmann (uh, vulgar and flashy), he gets it: during Romeo and Juliet's first love scene, he dunks Claire Danes and Leonar...
Death
(Click the symbolism infographic to download.)Both lovers have intimations of coming death—Romeo before he even arrives at the Capulet's party, and Juliet when she sees Romeo climbing from her wi...