Analysis of the Prologue in The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet

Analysis of the Prologue in The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet

William Shakespeare's classical play 'The tragedy of Romeo and Juliet'

begins with a prologue. Unlike most prologues this one is in the form

of a sonnet. Sonnets usually consist of 14 lines, the prologue of

'Romeo and Juliet' follows this structure. In this sonnet the 14 lines

are divided up into 3 sections of 4 lines and the last section is made

up of 2 lines. This sonnet uses three different methods to separate

the 4 sections from one another. The first method is that the sections

beging and end as sentences (at the end of the first 3 lines there are

commas, but at the end of the fourth line of the section there is a

full stop.) This is method is present in the first three sections. The

next method that is applied is that each new sentence begins a

different topic, moving the audience gradually through the storyline

of the play avoiding confusion. The third method that is used is the

use of rhyming couplets. These are used alternatively in the three

sections, made of 4 lines so, for example the first line would rhyme

with the third and the second with the fourth and so on. However in

the last section (lines 13 & 14) the rhyming couplets are not placed

alternatively, they are placed together. One reason for this is that

there are only 2 lines. This could also highlight the end of the

prologue.

I think that Shakespeare chose to use a sonnet, as the structure of

the prologue in this play because he had already written sonnets

previous to this so knew they would work and be sucessful. I also

think the he chose to use a sonnet is because Romeo and Juliet is

about love and ...

... middle of paper ...

...s like how the storyline of the play

is structured. The two rhyming lines at the end of the prologue are

typical of a traditional sonnet. I think the ending to this prologue

is extremely effective as it simply says the play starts now and this

is simple enough for the audience to understand.

Overall I think that that the prologue for 'Romeo and Juliet' outlines

the storyline very well for the audiences benefit. Its sets a

questionable scene that makes the audience think, which in turn keeps

them interested. They also keep interested because they understand the

form of the prologue, sonnet form, and this engages them even further

into the storyline. Basically I think this prologue is an excellent

start to this type of play as the audience on their toes, which is a

good method for getting and keeping peoples attention.