What is a key image in drama?

In drama, a key image is a visually striking or symbolically significant detail that recurs throughout a dramatic work, often conveying complex emotional and psychological subtext or serving as a metaphor for central themes. Key images provide multiple layers of meaning, resonate emotionally with the audience, and often evoke powerful responses or associations. They act as recurring visual motifs that enrich understanding and stimulate introspection by connecting various moments, aspects, or themes of the plot and characterization.