Romeo And Juliet Analysis

Baz Luhrmann's 1996 film, Romeo + Juliet effectively appropriates the Shakespearean 16th century love tragedy. So why has Luhrmann decided to appropriate Romeo and Juliet? By changing the context, Luhrmann effectively makes the play relevant, discussing his contextual concerns of the 1990’s. This is done through the use of themes in the film, love, family disputes and hate which have remained similar to the original play, although the way they have been presented are different, in particular the form and characters. The form has had an obvious change as the original play has been adapted into a film. Characters in the film have also been appropriated to correspond with Luhrmann's contextual concerns. Hence, Luhrmann successfully appropriates the original Shakespeare play, Romeo and Juliet by maintaining similar themes, but altering the form and characterisation to fit his contextual concerns.

With the idea of light representing love already established, Shakespeare uses it reinforce the impossible odds the lovers are facing. Romeo and Juliet constantly talk of and call on astronomical and light emitting objects to change the dark world they live in. Romeo says when he encounters Juliet on her balcony, “Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,” (2.2.5). The courses of all of these celestial objects is set in stone and is celestially difficult to change, and yet Romeo and Juliet nonetheless constantly call on these forces to do the impossible. They do the same with their love, too. The lovers believe that their love and light can indeed destroy the corruption and dark of their society even though they know it is astronomically arduous to accomplish. Romeo and Juliet’s love, they hope, will shine out the dark, letting them live together in a world that accepts them.

Undoubtedly, the most obvious theme in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is that of love and he presents this complex human emotion in many different ways. In the play Love is dominant and the most important theme, but the main focus is romantic love, in particular the intense passion that arises at the first sight between Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare portrays love as a violent, overpowering attraction that overrides all other values. Love is forceful enough to disregard all other aspects that people stand for, ie. the surname that makes juliet how she is expected to be and behave.

The previous passage was Romeo describing Juliet as beautiful as the sun, and professing his love for Juliet . At this point, Romeo is in the garden speaking to Juliet on the balcony. He refers to Juliet as the light of his world, and uses colorful imagery to describe her looks. This is one another example of the false love that exists. In addition to this quote, the narrator of the play describes Romeo and Juliet as “star-crossed lovers”. Another quote by Juliet describing Romeo in a sexual, lustful way is as follows;

Shakespeare’s use of symbolism assists in conveying this idea of love and purity. However, this pure representation of night is contradicted when Juliet fears of being trapped within the ‘horrible conceit of death and night” (IV, iv, 24). The irony that Shakespeare uses to illustrate Juliet’s state of mind demonstrates her still developing character as she is conflicted between the concept of betraying for family and death itself. At this point in the play, from Juliet’s ponders and contradictory, the audience is able to conclude that she is very much torn and indecisive of her motives.

However, Juliet soon stumbles upon her fate when she finally meets Romeo and instantly falls in love with him, despite him being the son of her family's enemy. Shakespeare's text structure depicts Juliet as someone who is reckless, and does not stop long enough to evaluate the full consequences of her actions. "Farewell!—God knows when we shall meet again. I have a faint cold fear thrills through my veins. That almost freezes up the heat of life. I’ll call them back again to comfort me. — Nurse!—what should she do here" (4:3:14-18). Shakespeare uses paradox, hyperbole, apostrophe and oxymoron to convey the violence of emotions in Romeo and Juliet as also the 'sweet lyricism of young passionate love' (Albertan A, 2003). His clever use of dramatic structure enables the audience to switch between comedy and tragedy to heighten the tension, leading up to the heartrending climax. "O, look! Methinks I see my cousin's ghost Seeking out Romeo that did spit his body, upon a rapier's point: — stay, Tybalt, stay!" (4:3:19-21). This apostrophe is a solitary example of the establishment of tragedy within the play, showing how two star-crossed lovers have a destiny with death.

In the play, Romeo and Juliet, by Shakespeare tells of two families that have a huge grudge. A boy named Romeo and a girl named Juliet fall in love with each other and die in the end. In this play, Shakespeare uses a lot of figurative language throughout. He uses language like metaphors, similes and personification to describe the scenes and characters.

Shakespeare’s use of nature in the balcony scene is most commonly referenced when discussing Romeo’s comparison of Juliet to the sun. By comparing Juliet’s beauty to the sun, the text conveys the idea of Juliet coming into Romeo’s life has changed him for the better. Romeo begins his monologue with, “Juliet is the sun.” (Shakespeare 2.2.3). The sun is the center of the universe, and Romeo uses the sun to state that Juliet is the center of his universe. The use of this metaphor gives a comparison between the consistency of the sun and his love for Juliet. The sun is a symbol of rebirth for Romeo. When the sun rises in the morning, it is

The first kind of love shown in the play is teenage love through Romeo. Montague tells us that "Many a morning hath he (Romeo) been seen... adding to the clouds more clouds with his deep sighs." Romeo is often seen sighing showing that he is either depressed or in love. Romeo is both. He says he is "out of her favour where I am in love". He is "in love" with Rosaline but she has sworn herself to a life of chastity and does not return Romeo's love. Shakespeare mocks Romeo's infatuation with the

During some of part one, and two, we slowly learn about Romeo and his dilemma. He has fallen in love with beautiful Rosaline and all of his heart is crying out to her. He vows to never see a beauty as fair as her, and complains about the rudeness and pain of love. He allows himself to go to the party with Mercutio and his friends, but remarks he won't have a good time. "I'll go along, no such sight to be shown, But to rejoice in a splendor of mine own."  That is until he sees Juliet. Instantly he forgets all of his lamenting for Rosaline love, and proclaims Juliet is the most beautiful thing he has ever seen. "O! she doth teach the torches to burn bright. It seems she hangs on the cheek of night, like a rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear; Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear! So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows, As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows. The measure done, I'll watch her place of stand, And, touching hers, make blessed my rude hand. Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night."

The servant, lacking the knowledge to read, repays Romeo’s help by inviting Romeo and his cousin to the party, without knowing the men were Montagues. At the party, Romeo insists not to dance with anyone,”A torch for me. Let wantons light to heart/[...] I’ll be a candle holder and look on;/ The game was ne’er so fair, and I am done” (1.4.35-39). Despite of his insistence, he meets Juliet and is awed by her beauty, forgetting his desire for Rosaline. He praises her with such words, “O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!/ It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night/ As a rich jewel in an Ethiop’s ear-/[...] Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight,/ For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night” (1.5.51-60). Because he was amazed by her beauty, later on he becomes rather attached to her, especially when they both find out that they are enemies of different houses. In spite of this, they meet each other in the middle of the night near Juliet’s balcony. Here, Romeo’s praising becomes even more passionate as they both exchange words of love. “But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?/ It is the East, and Juliet is the sun” (2.2.2-3). From the scene where Romeo sees Juliet for the first time to where they meet by the balcony, his sorrow is forgotten and filled up with

In William Shakespeare's, Romeo and Juliet, Act II, Scene ii opens with Romeo’s soliloquy where he is below Juliet's balcony admiring her at night. He states that she is more beautiful than the moon and that it has become,”...sick and pale with grief…(2.2.6).” He then says that the moon is sick because it has held onto its virginity, and that Juliet in comparison should let hers go,” And none but fools do wear it. Cast it off!(2.2.10).” Romeo emphasizes the motif between the light and darkness in his soliloquy were his reference of Juliet to the “light”, “sun”, and “bright stars” as his love light. The darkness is what has discovered their love, but at the same time shadows it. Romeo then compares Juliet’s eyes to the stars as if they were

William Shakespeare is a very famous poet known for his incredible works of literature for example, Romeo and Juliet a tragedy. Many people still read Shakespeare’s poems due to the fact that his characters are complex and the language is quite rich. Shakespeare poetry and writings are rich from his extensive use of figurative language. Romeo and Juliet is about two star crossed lovers that are in a forbidden love due to an ancient family feud. Shakespeare develops the character of Romeo from an adolescent boy to a young man by the end of the book through uses of figurative language such as personification, metaphors, and similes. Romeo is a key character showing that love can make one immature and irrational things.

Shakespeare does this by noting how Romeo and Juliet do not actually love each other. This is represented by Romeo and Juliets actions and rash decision making. Their decisions are very impulsive and rushed. As a result, it impacted them negatively in the future and as well as their relationship. Romeo and Juliet’s love for each other is not actually how love really is. They’ve mistakenly confused lust for love.

He uses light references to present their passionate and powerful love towards each other, such as ‘’o she doth the torches to burn brighter’’ which infers that juliet’s beauty outshines the torches that light up the party. But also Romeo says that Juliet’s eyes are ‘’two of the fairest stars in all heaven’’. Near the end, Romeo also states that he will ‘’defy you stars’’ the use of celestial imagery emphasises the power of their love. But also this quotations portrays his willingness to fight if it results him being with Juliet, even if its against the unstoppable force of fate. On the other hand, Shakespeare uses images of darkness to symbolize the negative aspects of their love.