Literary Devices In Romeo And Juliet

In William Shakespeare’s play ‘Romeo and Juliet’ there is alot of conflict particularly in act 3 scene 1. The audience find conflict interesting to watch because it creates drama and tension. Shakespeare uses many dramatic devices to present this; some of these techniques include foreshadowing, puns and irony to add to this effect. Another reason why Shakespeare uses conflict in the play is so that the audience are able to get attached to it and watch the conflict grow. The fact that the scene is set in a public place encourages the characters to show off, the characters do this because they want to show their strength and show people that they are not afraid. The conflict in the

Romeo and Juliet is a story based on conflict. The conflict in the story is Capulet against Montague. From ancient times, the two families have held grudges against each other. As the book states. “Two households, alike in dignity...from ancient grudge break to new mutiny. Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean (1.Prologue.1-4).” The grudge between the two families has led to fighting and even death.

Throughout the play, Shakespeare uses symbolism to exemplify how fate is inevitable. The biggest symbol from the beginning to the end, is the stars. The stars represent one’s fate, (and it was believed that the stars determined what happens in one’s lifetime) include parenthesis?. Before heading into the Capulet’s party, Romeo states, “I fear too early, for my mind misgives some consequence yet hanging in the stars shall bitterly begin his fearful date with this night’s revels, and expire the term” (I.iv.106-109). Before he even arrives at the masquerade he has angst about an unknown fated consequence that will arise from attending the party. When Balthasar shows up at Verona, he tells Romeo of Juliet’s tragic death, as he replies with, “Is it e’en so? Then I defy you, stars!” (V.i.24). Romeo challenges fate itself, to

‘Romeo and Juliet’ by William Shakespeare incorporates the theme of conflict through many different characters and situations. The definition of conflict is “a fight, battle, or struggle; especially a prolonged struggle; strife” The play mainly focuses on the tragic lives of Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet; the two characters belong to the Montague and Capulet households respectively, which have held ongoing grudges against each other for years. The play ends with both main characters committing suicide, to be together in heaven. As with many of Shakespeare’s works, the theme of conflict is a strong one. For a start, there is the ongoing conflict between the two families; the Montagues and the Capulets. The audience is unsure how this

Throughout Romeo and Juliet the theme of conflict is conveyed in many forms, mostly through physical violence; reflected in the era of the Renaissance where there was political turmoil and many European nations were at war. Shakespeare presents the theme in other forms as well; family versus family, sacred versus profane, parent versus child and language versus inner conflict. Conflict is a key in the structure of the play; it is highlighted in the beginning, middle and end. As an audience we are constantly being reminded of conflict which is reflected within the era the play was written in. The Renaissance was the 'rebirth ' of classical learning and was also the time when Science challenged many traditional Christian beliefs which resulted in Catholics fighting Protestants; the Gunpowder plot and the Spanish Armada. Shakespeare chose to dramatise conflict as it was the context in which he was writing plays. It is therefore arguable that this period was characterised by irreconcilable opposites in politics, religion and art. Nothing in the world can exist without its opposite- just as love cannot exist without hate, violence cannot exist without peace.

Although there are times where Mercutio mocks Romeo’s love, Mercutio is still incredibly dutiful to his friend on several occasions. Before Romeo meets Juliet, he is a rather gloomy fellow that is partaking in an unrequited love. Even though Mercutio is not the best at showing sympathy, like his friend Benvolio, Mercutio still wishes to try and cheer up Romeo. The friends’ first idea is to take Romeo to a Capulet party, hoping the energetic atmosphere will improve his mood. On the way there, Romeo states that he doesn’t feel like dancing, which leads to Mercutio saying, in all seriousness, “ Nay, gentle Romeo, we must have you dance”(1.4 13). Mercutio really is concerned about Romeo’s well being and wants him to dance and enjoy the party. The discussion continues with Romeo saying his shoes are made of lead due to his sorrowful love, but Mercutio retorts that, "You are a lover; borrow Cupid's wings, And soar with them above a common bound” (1.4 17-18). At this point, Mercutio is looking for anything that can cheer Romeo up, which can be difficult for Mercutio, seeing that they often have rather different opinion of love. Much later into this tale, Tybalt, one of the enemy family’s members, wishes to fight Romeo, but Romeo refuses. Mercutio, not fully understanding Romeo’s peaceful approach remarks, “O calm

He sees it as nothing deeper than the skin and he takes it as a joke. Shakespeare gave Mercutio these character traits in order to represent how most men in the Elizabethan Era saw love. The men seeing the play could relate to Mercutio in his actions and understand that there are other ways of going about things. “You are a lover. Borrow cupid's wings | And soar with them above a common bound” (Act 1 Scene 4 Lines 17 and 18). Here, Mercutio is being sarcastic with Romeo. Romeo feels that he is too heartbroken over Rosaline to go to the party, and Mercutio is mocking him for it. He does not see love as anything greater than physical need. “Throughout lovers’ brains, and then they dream of love” (Act 1 Scene 4 Line 76). Mercutio believes that love is brought on by a fairy called Queen Mab that goes into people's heads as they sleep. Mercutio does not believe in emotional love, simply a physical feeling. Mercutio’s view on love had no attachment, similarly to how men in Shakespeare's time period

Romeo’s lovesick moping for Rosaline sparks a need for a wild rant within Mercutio. Mercutio taunts and mocks Romeo, for his dream which tells him they should not crash the Capulet’s party. This, in the end, all falls back on the theme of fate. As a result, Mercutio’s rant persuades Romeo to attend the party because after all, dreams are ridiculous and not always truthful. Additionally, Mercutio is suggesting that, like Queen Mab, dreams (specifically Romeo’s) are petty and insignificant. All of this takes place in Act once Scene four. The purpose of this speech is to add comic relief amongst the tragic events, whilst foreshadowing what’s to come. Romeo is constructed as a juvenile character with a dreamy nature, who is romantic and lovesick , in comparison to his best friend, Mercutio, who takes on the role as a comedic, volatile, pessimistic and sharp-witted personality.

William Shakespeare is widely known for all of his literary works; one of his most famous love tragedies being 'Romeo and Juliet'. A Shakespearean definition of tragedy exemplifies the sense that human beings are inevitably doomed through their own failures or errors, the ironic action of their virtues, or even through the nature of fate and destiny (Sayour, Susan, 2007). Romeo and Juliet is a tragic tale based on two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately unite their feuding families. Throughout the play, Shakespeare intentionally draws on text structures and language features in order to replicate the attitudes, values and beliefs of Elizabethan audiences and intertwine it into his

When Romeo is low-spirited, Mercutio is happy, positive, and ready to enjoy life. In the beginning of “Romeo and Juliet,” Romeo is depressed. Romeo’s father, Lord Montague asks Benvolio to find out what is upsetting his son. At this time, the Capulets, the family that the Montagues have been feuding with for a very long time, is throwing a party. Mercutio and Benvolio plan to take Romeo to the Capulets’ party to help him find happiness. Mercutio does his best to attempt and raise his friend’s spirits by saying “… gentle Romeo, we must have you dance.” Romeo responds “Not I, believe me. You have dancing shoes with nimble soles; I have a soul of lead so stakes me to the ground I cannot move.” Then Mercutio says “You are a lover. Borrow Cupid’s wings and soar with them above a common bound.” (A1SIV) As Romeo states more reasons why he should not go to the party, Mercutio tells Romeo to

Just like in the story of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, there are actual true events very simaler to some of the parts in the story. In 2005, 2 families by the name of Soliz and Ortiz had a violent breakout including guns, injuring 6 people. You will find that the story of Romeo are relateable to the article, “Six Wounded in Fla. ‘Romeo and Juliet’ Firefight”.

Romeo says, “Is love a tender thing? It is too rough, too rude, too boist’rous and it pricks like a thorn”. Here Romeo is saying that love is a very tough thing, especially in his case where he is just trying to chase down one girl. After Mercutio’s very long Queen Mab speech, Romeo says, “I fear, too early, for my mind misgives some consequence yet hanging in the stars shall bitterly begin his fearful date with this night's revels, and expire the term of a despisèd life closed in my breast by some vile forfeit of untimely death”. He is basically saying that something is ‘hanging in the stars’, or destined to happen.

Motifs in a play can subtly give characters in a story or play more depth. In William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, this shines through in many cases. In this play, Romeo of the Montague family falls in love with Juliet of the Capulet family, who are currently involved in a feud with the Montague family. The play follows their struggles to make it as a couple, even though they are destined to fail. Stars and high and low appear as motifs frequently in Romeo and Juliet and have a deeper meaning than one may think.

For example, Mercutio encourages Romeo to attend a party, to lift his spirits, “Nay gentle Romeo, we must have you dance. … you have dancing shoes” (1.4.13-15). This argues that Mercutio, thinks about Romeo and cares about him, as he is trying to cheer him up when he is down. At the same time, Mercutio is not sympathetic towards Romeo’s emotions, as he disregards Romeo’s feelings, especially those towards his views of love.

Act 1 scene 4 of Romeo and Juliet starts with Romeo, Mercutio, Benvolio, and other members of the Montague household. The Montague men are venturing to Capulet’s house for the formal dinner they were invited to by the illiterate servant, Peter. Despite of Benvolio’s constant encouragement, Romeo is still in a gloomy mood because of his love life and refuses to participate in the party’s happening. When the men insist that Romeo dance at the party, Romeo he states that “I have soles of lead so stakes me to the ground I cannot move.” (pg. 48). This scene introduces us to Mercutio who is Romeo’s best friend. Mercutio’s witty personality is highlighted multiple times during scene including when his response to Romeo’s refusal to dance, “You are