Juliet elaborates on his conceit, saying, “Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much… For saints have hands that pilgrims’ hands do touch” (1.4.210-2). ” (1:5:97-98) Prior to this statement Romeo had equated Juliet with a holy shrine and he then employs the religious concept of pilgrimage in the following lines. The Virgin Mary is also contradictory as she is a symbol of purity, yet Tybalt uses this gun for murder. The religious imagery is indicative of conflict. Romeo suggests that with Juliet’s love, his sins are obliterated and he is as pure as a newborn child, again promoting that religious imagery makes their love pure. Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet, the 1996 cinematic adaptation of Shakespeare’s play, is imbued with religious imagery. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This way, while the audience may have disapproved of the couple’s actions, they would not have left the theatre with a terrible image of them in Hell, as noted by Budra (43). The camera rapidly zooms through the streets and lands on the face of a large statue of Christ, reminiscent of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro. Romeo's use of religious imagery from this point on — as when he describes Juliet as a holy shrine — indicates a move towards a more spiritual consideration of love as he moves away from the inflated, overacted descriptions of his love for Rosaline. As opposed to the typical idea of a tomb-dark, somber, frightening- the tomb is well lit because of the countless candles lit around Juliet’s body and the fluorescent crosses that light the path to where she lays. Flashcards. Shakespeare infuses Romeo and Juliet with various types of imagery - for example, celestial, religious, avian, and light and dark references - that provide metaphoric meaning, influence the spectators’ (or readers’) moods, and foreshadow the lamentable end. By comparing them to these holy figures, Romeo is setting up their own religion. In contrast, when Romeo is addressing Juliet, his language shifts through the use of symbolism, religious, and mythological imagery to reflect his newly found romantic love for Juliet. In addition, a statue of Jesus Christ looms over the city, bearing witness to the events unfolding. While courting Juliet, Romeo says, “My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand, To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss. This website uses cookies to provide you with the best browsing experience. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. The other purpose of the religious imagery in Romeo and Juliet is to highlight the purity of their love. Religious imagery Metaphor Simile Plosives Sibilance Pun Bawdy humour Patriarchy Key themes ... religion was extremely important and marriage vows were seen as … Romeo compares Juliet to the statue of a saint, and himself to a religious pilgrim, in Act 1 Scene 5: ROMEO [To JULIET] If I profane with my unworthiest hand. This religion completely envelopes the couple. While courting Juliet, Romeo says, “My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand, To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss. No one could get married except in church. ” (1:5:97-98) Prior to this statement Romeo had equated Juliet with a holy shrine and he then employs the religious concept of pilgrimage in the following lines. As Paul Budra points out in the Study Guide, it would have been rather unpleasant for Shakespeare to leave his audience with an image of Romeo and Juliet in Hell. 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