The Usage of Opposites in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

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The sun and the moon have nothing in common with each other and nor do the Capulets and the Montagues. The usage of opposites in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is to illustrate the Capulets’ and the Montagues’ polarity. Opposites involving love and hate strongly reveal to the reader how different the Capulets and the Montagues are. Juliet realizes how she is supposed to hate Romeo when she says “My only love sprung from my only hate!” in act one scene five line 138. The love and the hate is referring to Romeo, who is a Montague. Juliet is a Capulet and referring to a Montague and the differences between the two parties. Romeo says “My life were better ended by their hate, Than death prorogued, wanting of thy love.” What Romeo is saying is that he would rather die f Juliet than live without her. This is relating back to the Montagues and Capulets. This is because when Romeo says “My life were better ended by their hate,” he is referring to the hate between the Capulets and the Montagues. “See, what a scourge is laid upon your hate/That heaven finds means to kill your joys with lo...

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