Light and Dark
As mentioned, a prevalent motif in Romeo and Juliet is the interplay between lightness and darkness. However, these images are not used in the traditional sense in which light signifies "good" and darkness signifies "bad." Indeed, nearly all of Romeo and Juliet's meetings occur at night, emphasizing their freedom to be together under the cover of darkness. Rather, the light/dark imagery becomes a way of dramatizing the co-existence of opposites, which ultimately mirrors the tension between the Montagues and the Capulets.
The Sky
Related to the use of light and dark imagery is a series of references to the sky, including the sun, the stars, and the moon. Often, Romeo and Juliet compare one another to different astronomical objects as a way of emphasizing the other's import in their lives. The sky was often associated with God and forces beyond human control, so in comparing each other to sky-related images, the lovers suggest they are destined to be together.
Queen Mab
Some of the most elaborate imagery in the play comes from Mercutio's "Queen Mab" speech in Act One. According to Mercutio, Queen Mab is a tiny fairy who rides through the night dispensing dreams to sleepers. As the speech progresses, the descriptions of Mab become progressively more detailed and nonsensical. This fantastical and unbelievable imagery highlight's Mercutio's perspective that Romeo has given himself over to daydreams rather than remaining grounded in reality.
Baptism
When Romeo discovers that Juliet is a Capulet, he is still so enamored with her that he vouches to lose his own name in order to maintain their love. He uses the image of baptism – the Christian practice of immersing someone in water as a symbol of purification – to argue that his love for Juliet could "cleanse" him of his identity entirely.
