William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet
Introduction
The two scenes which Romeo and Juliet meet are both filled with an
emotional tension however there is a different sort of tension in the
two scenes. For instance in the first scene the concern is over how
the love could even be born and how it would affect their families. In
the second scene it is more a case of how can their love survive so
soon after it was first created. The language used in each scene is
also different and complex on different levels, whether it is merely
comparisons to Greek goddesses or perhaps questioning the importance
of words Shakespeare has put it into the mouths of Romeo and Juliet.
First Scene
The first scene begins with Romeo appearing beneath Juliet's balcony.
It starts with him comparing Juliet to the sun, rising and killing the
envious moon with references to Greek mythology. Then she appears on
the balcony Romeo below in the garden listening to her personal
thoughts about him and the idea of falling in love with her family's
foe, possibly the most famous line in literature:
"Romeo, Romeo where for art thou Romeo deny thy father and refuse thy
name"
Although these words are not addressed to Romeo he does hear them from
his hiding position in the grounds. He is happy to hear them as he
considers whether or not he should respond to them. Juliet meanwhile
continues talking of the lack of importance of names, saying that
Montague is "not hand nor arm nor face nor any other part belonging to
a man".
"That which we call a rose by any other world would smell as sweet."
This above quote points out that a name is nothing and a word means
nothing more than a word. Then she talks of how great Romeo is and
just then he makes himself heard and gives Juliet the shock of her
life. Romeo then swears that his love is true and that he would give
his name up for their love.
Although they are the basis of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, these main characters are dull, undynamic, and do not specifically appeal to certain readers. Nurse could be considered as a more interesting character because she brings her wit, drama and insight into the plotline.
In all of the best works of literature, each of a writer's characters has a purpose whether the role is small or big. Even if it goes unnoticed, the small characters usually play a key role to the story's plot development. These minor characters also add depth to the story's world and also help in the development of the major characters' personality. In William Shakespeare's play The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, the minor characters of Friar Lawrence, the Nurse, and Tybalt are in many ways the most pivotal characters to the play's development.
wither in their pride/ Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride.” From
William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet At the beginning of the play Romeo and Juliet, Juliet is portrayed as
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would
Micheal Jordan famously wrote “If you accept the expectations of others then you never will change the outcome” (Jordan). One can appreciate the context of the quote when relating it to one of William Shakespeare’s greatest work, “Romeo and Juliet”, in which two long-feuding families finally end their strife after their children defy the societal expectations, and consequently take their lives away. The two lovers struggle to live up to the expectations society demands from them, which oppose the existence of their love. For example, the audience sees Juliet challenge her family’s expectations in order to protect her relationship with her true love, Romeo. Additionally, both Romeo and Juliet challenge their gender roles in order to love freely without any opposition from society. Also, as the love between the two intensify, both Romeo and Juliet struggle to abide to the social expectations of their Christian faith. In a nutshell, one of William Shakespeare’s most celebrated plays, “Romeo and Juliet”, is about how two lovers choose to defy the social expectations demanded by their society in an attempt to create an environment where the “true love” they possess can exist.
is once again brought up by Romeo at the end of Act 1, scene 4 when he
two families. It was unjust of him to send Romeo away from Verona as a
His love for Rosaline is great but yet she can not say the same and
William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet "Many a morning hath he been there seen /With tears augmenting the
In the play, Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare reveals an underlying message that points to the contrasts between youth and age that are even apparent now today. The youth of society tend to question and then possibly disregard the rules that are important to their parents if they do not have good reason to believe in these rules. The rebellious actions of youth can eventually cause their own untimely destruction. We see today in the headlines many instances where teens have followed their own unguided course bringing about tragic results. Shakespeare shows us in his play how these factors contributed to the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet.
In this essay I shall be writing about why I agree that with the play,
William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet I have been studying Romeo and Juliet in class and I have watched a production on television. Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet for an audience used to sixteenth century stage conventions, we must appreciate that these conventions are very different from our own. The Elizabethan theatre was very distinctive, when a play was performed thousands of people would pack inside the theatre, the rich would be able to pay for seats in the stand sheltered from the wind and rain, while the poor had to stand and brave the elements as the theatre had no roof.
a new beginning and end one by causing death, as shown at the end of
how she loves him but how it impossible for them to be as both of