Imagery is a technique often used by writers to establish an atmosphere which emphasizes themes and aids in characterization. Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, and the anonymous poet's Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, are exceptional examples of poets constructing imagery patterns to improve the reader's experience. In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare consistently repeats the motifs of sweet sorrow, light and dark and love and death to accentuate the tragedy; similarly, nature and colour reoccur throughout Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, developing two brilliantly well written pieces of work.
The opening image of Romeo and Juliet, informs the audience that they will witness the interlocking of joy and sorrow.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;
Whose misadventured piteous overthrows
Doth with their death bury their parents' strife. (Prologue.5-8)
The chorus explains that the two families of Verona are mortal enemies and only with the death of their only children, can order be restored to the streets of Verona (http:// www.clicknotes.com/romeo). …
