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How Does Shakespeare Create Tension In Romeo And Juliet

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“A pair of star-cross’d lovers” in the classic tale Romeo and Juliet, is written by the famous playwright William Shakespeare. In the midst of the Capulet and Montague’s ancient grudge and hatred for one another, Juliet Capulet and Romeo Montague are confronted with a forbidden lust separated by their family’s feud. The story explores love, hatred, death and forgiveness, depicted through the stylistic features that Shakespeare employs to portray tension between the Montague and Capulet families. The tale of Romeo and Juliet sees their love trial among an endless brawl of hatred with many consequences. The opening scene introduces conflict between the two families through their slave’s dialogue, “I will bite my thumb at them, which is a disgrace.” Shakespeare already establishes within the first scene the hatred that both families have for each other that even their help and staff cannot stand one another. Furthermore Shakespeare uses setting to convey the particular hatred Tybalt has for Romeo when he crashes the Capulet’s party. “Such a villain is a guest, I will not endure him.” As well as further demonstrates the bad terms both families are on. …show more content…

Shakespeare ironically sets the setting of their blossom of love at the Capulet’s party, a place where if Romeo is seen, “they will murder thee”, in order to show his sacrifice for their love. Contrary in Juliet’s soliloquy she begs Romeo to “deny thy father and refuse thy name.” Shakespeare explains that if it was not for Juliet being a Capulet and similarly, Romeo a Montague, there love would be free to flourish. On the flip side it also shows the tension between families for their love must be kept secret. “A plague o’ both your houses” foreshadows bad things to come of Romeos love with Juliet in the future that will see both fighting families suffer great loss. With love and hate battling through the story the only resolution can be

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