Romeo and Juliet is a heartrending play written by William Shakespeare that tells a story of two young people in love, and the tragedy involving their death that follows. Shakespeare uses different contrasts to help convey emotions and increase drama. Contrasts displayed include light vs. dark, young vs. old, and fate vs. free will.

Shakespeare illustrates the forces of light and dark to contrast and exaggerate points of emotion. An example can be seen in the beginning of the book, when Romeo replies to his friends, "Give me a torch: I am not for this ambling; / Being but heavy, I will bear the light" (1.4.11-12). This is Romeo explaining to his friends that he's not in the mood to go to the Capulet feast, because if he is holding a torch, he can't dance or enjoy himself. Romeo is in a "heavy," dark mood over his previous love...