What is the significance of the lark and the nightingale in romeo and juliet

They are both songbirds in Romeo and Juliet. They hear the lark singing which means it was morning. Juliet pretends that it is the nightingale which would make it night , but she knows as Romeo does, that it was a lark. The idea expressed in Juliet's "that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet" is that the name we give things cannot change the reality.

Is it a lark, a morning bird, or a nightingale, a night bird? If it is the lark, it is time for romeo to get up and go to Mantua. They try to pretend that it is the nightingale, but Juliet says "it is the lark that sings so out of tune" Unfortunately, a lark by any other name is still a lark.

She tells him that the bird they hear is not a lark a morning bird but rather a nightingale a night bird. The nightingale, a bird that sings in the night and the lark, a bird that sings in the morning.

Romeo and Juliet argue about if the bird they hear singing is a lark morning bird or nightingale night bird. Juliet believes it is a nightingale so Romeo can stay for longer. However, Romeo makes her listen closer and she realizes it is indeed a lark and Romeo must leave. Hope that helped! Specifically the nightingale a night bird or a lark a morning bird. He thinks that it is the lark, a bird that sings in the morning.

That would mean that it is time for him to sneak out. But she, of course, wants him to stay and argues that no, it is the nightingale. She says this because if it was the nightingale, he would not have to leave yet. There are two birds mentioned in this particular scene. The one referred to by the question is the nightingale, as she wants more time with her Romeo and the nightingale's song says it is still night. Then theyt alk about the lark, a bird that sings in the early morning hours around sunrise.

If they are to not get caught, Romeo need s the cover of darkness to slip away and she isn't done with him, so they hope it is the nightingale, though it does eventually turn out to be the lark, signally thwir one night together is over.

A nightingale. If she had heard the nightingale, it would still be night time and Romeo wouldn't have to leave, but because it was the lark and that sounds during the day early morning that means Romeo has to leave.

If she hears a lark, it must be dawn that's when larks sing and she and Romeo must part and he must get out of the city. But if she hears a nightingale, it must still be night that is when nightingales sing so they can cuddle some more. Naturally that is what she would prefer. She was a nurse in the Crimean War. When Romeo hears a bird she tells him it's the nightingale the bird of night not the lark the bird of dawn so it is safe for him to stay in her bed.

There are many names for songbirds. My husband is on Earth, my faith in heaven. How shall that faith return again to Earth Unless that husband send it me from heaven By leaving Earth? Comfort me; counsel me. Hast thou not a word of joy? Some comfort, nurse. With no one else to turn to, Juliet seeks comfort from the Nurse.

Juliet makes a case for not abandoning her hubby: She's already married, so marrying Paris would be a sin against God, as well as an unthinkable betrayal of Romeo. Then, since the case so stands as now it doth, I think it best you married with the County.

An eagle, madam, Hath not so green, so quick, so fair an eye As Paris hath. The Nurse disagrees. Romeo is gone, and Paris is here. And marrying Paris would be a step up on the social ladder. He's better looking and a much better catch. Also, he's not a hated enemy, and um, there's no other option.

Unless you count starving on the street which, clearly, the Nurse does not. Juliet asks her if that's her final answer, and the Nurse says it absolutely is. Is it more sin to wish me thus forsworn Or to dispraise my lord with that same tongue Which she hath praised him with above compare So many thousand times? Go, counselor. Thou and my bosom henceforth shall be twain.

If all else fail, myself have power to die. Juliet cannot believe this is happening. Even the nurse isn't on her side anymore. Juliet has only one ally left: Friar Lawrence. If he can't help her, suicide might be her only option.

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. Cite This Page. Logging out…. Logging out You've been inactive for a while, logging you out in a few seconds I'm Still Here! W hy's T his F unny? Enter Romeo and Juliet aloft. Enter Nurse. They kiss, and Romeo descends. Enter Lady Capulet. Juliet descends. Before Juliet has time to fix her hair or anything, her mother comes in. What day is that? Donate Search. Listen Now. Mary McCann Narrator. Tags: language , vocalization. Sky Lark Alauda arvensis Alauda arvensis.

By BirdNote Gallery. Romeo is presented as course. Then, I did a little bit of digging about the two birds, following that thread. I found out the following points about larks. Point 3: Larks announce the start of the day.

Point 5: Larks are good mimics. Point three is an obvious point as we have two birds symbolising different parts of the day. Nightingale represents the night and the lark represents the day. But, more interesting, is the fact that the lark was often associated with the arrival of day. My theory is that a cockerel is too masculine and probably a better symbol to represent Paris.

A lark is less masculine and less likely to cause conflict than a cockerel, as the play explores the relationship between love and hate. Romeo shows the human capacity to love and hate, but also the possibility of having more love than hate in a person.

Point 4 for me was interesting. Larks only sing when they fly. Of course, singing and flying can be associated with happiness and love. More interesting for me was the fact that a lark only sings when it flies. This does reflect the play. The language Romeo uses when he is in love reflects this subtle change. We can cite the use of sonnet form when they first meet to support this.

There is a strong mercurial theme in the play so Point 5 was pertinent. But, he is. Like the lark, he changes his song depending on the context.

Look how quickly he ends up mimicking the way Tybalt speaks in their conflict. Point 6: Nightingales sing during the night and day. Point 6, in a way, contradicts what we naturally think the quote is about. But, what is clear, is that Juliet is clearly linked to the nocturnal song to attract a mate. The lark announces it is time to start something new, whereas the nightingale is enticing him to stay attached to her.

Point 8: Larks have been used to symbolise Christ in literature and art. Point 9: Nightingales are seen as a symbol of the link between life and death. Or, is it something more subtle? Maybe, it is a reference to his symbolic death or banishment. The symbol of freedom is reflected her in her tempting him to stay. At the moment, I have yet to explore the eating habits of the two birds, but I am sure I will get to some complex symbolism linked to their eating habits at some point.

Interesting points. Smaller than crows and ravens.