In writing we use symbols to effectively convey hidden meanings in stories and poems that can’t normally be read or understood. William Shakespeare’s tragic love story, “Romeo and Juliet,” has many symbols and is a great example of the use of symbolism. The three symbols that “Romeo and Juliet” are well-known for is love (Cupid), poison, and death. William Shakespeare if very well known for the symbolic use of love within his works of literature, along with a tragic ending (ex. “Hamlet”). This use of symbolism reoccurs in “Romeo and Juliet” and does not fail to deliver. However, love is represented symbolically by Cupid rather than Ophelia’s Flowers in “Hamlet”. Shakespeare uses the symbol of Cupid not only to represent love, but also as a method to develop theme and plot. Cupid also symbolizes the fickle nature of love, and how quickly changing it is. In the play Mercutio says, "You are a lover, borrow Cupid 's wings, And soar with them above a common bound" (Shakespeare I.iv.17-18). Mercutio also keeps telling Romeo to fall in love with another woman in order to get over Rosaline. The theme of ever-changing love develops because of this, even when Romeo claimed
The symbol of poison represents the love between Romeo and Juliet. An example is when Romeo says, "Here 's to my love! O true apothecary! Thy drugs are quick. Thus I die with a kiss (Shakespeare.V.iii.119-120). Romeo takes the poison when he arrives at Juliet’s tomb and finds her dead. When Romeo takes the poison, it is revealed that he truly loves Juliet and that he is unable to live without her. The symbol of poison not only represents the love between Romeo and Juliet, but it can also represent the Capulet and Montague feud. Not only is the feud deadly in itself, — recall Mercutio 's death — it 's also the catalyst for Romeo and Juliet 's double
Why do authors use symbolism in their literature? Many authors use symbolism in their literature to create or to add deeper meaning in the context of the whole story. They often use objects, people, actions and words to symbolize a deeper understanding of their story and to develop their themes. They also use symbols to give clue/hints for the story in which they also develop their main characters. In the story, “It Had to be Murder” by Cornell Woolrich, the author uses symbolism to develop his story and to send a message with a deeper understanding of the story to his readers.
...se he believes Juliet to dead, drinks poison to take his own life as a last resort. What Romeo is unaware of is that Juliet is very much alive, so it is very ironic when he says, “Death, that has sucked the honey of thy breath,/ Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty:/ Thou art not conquered; beauty’s ensign yet/ Is crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks,/ And death’s pale flag is not advanced there” (V iii 101-105). This is fate in the works in the play. When Juliet sees that her love has not rescued her and rather is dead, she kills herself with a dagger found in the proximity. “O happy dagger/ This is thy sheath; there rust and let me die” (V iii 182-183).
However, due to his intrusion of the Capulet party in act one, scene five, it is Tybalt’s rage that jeopardizes Romeo’s well-being. This shows the intensity of Romeo’s love for Juliet, and how he cares more about seeing her than his own safety. For example, in act five, scene three, Romeo kills himself because he believes that Juliet is dead. Love made Romeo put himself in dangerous situations, and caused Juliet to go against what her parents wanted. This is important to the story because it is Romeo and Juliet’s love for each other that ends the feud.
William Shakespeare is really famous for his writings, especially Romeo and Juliet. A pair of two star crossed lovers take place, on their mission to unite two houses, Capulets and Montagues, once and for all. In the play Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare presents a lot of paradoxes. This provides a lot of contrast to the text and allows readers to think harder and better understand the intricacies of this writing. In this play, there are many paradoxical themes expressed through the text for example good versus evil, love versus hate, and many more. All these paradoxes are communicated through figurative language, characterization, sound devices, and literary foils. These are literary devices that authors use to help readers to visualize
Romeo changes throughout the book. When Romeo went to the Capulets party, he was in love with Rosaline. He saw Juliet and immediately loved her. In act two scene two it Romeo says this about Juliet, "Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven, Having some business, do entreat her eyes To twinkle in their spheres till they return." He compares her eyes to stars in the night sky. Romeo talks about Juliet and is wanting to talk to her. This shows how Romeo is loving and sweet. In the last act of the book Romeo sees Juliet dead in the tomb. She is not really dead, but he doesn't know that. He kills himself so he can be with her in heaven. Romeo is a very loving person, but in one scene he turns into a very hateful person.
In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare uses foreshadowing from multiple perspectives to convey his message on how young love can be emotionally devastating.
In act one scene three of Romeo and Juliet Lord Capulet states “…She hath not seen the change of fourteen years. Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride.” This means that Juliet is not quite fourteen years old and her father is not sure if she is ready to become a wife and mother. There are many differences between how people marry today, and how they married in the time of Romeo and Juliet. Some of the differences are when the people marry, why people marry, and also the level of maturity people marry at.
In almost every story, one can find symbolism throughout the text to help the reader better understand what the writer wants the reader to takeout from his/her story. Symbolism is something that must be analyzed and explored to experience a deeper meaning to the story. Sometimes, symbolism throughout a story may not be noticeable when first read, but going back to analyze the text can add a deeper meaning to words and can also help to enhance the meaning behind the story line. In some instances, symbolism can leave a reader to ponder what the writer is trying to express with the symbolism used in the story; for symbolism can be interpreted differently and can have many layers of meaning to it. Some good examples of short stories that use symbolism
of a book a person may want to know what’s the basic outline of the
...re her fake dead body is kept, and drinks the poison he brought with him, hastily, without giving it a second thought, assuming that Juliet was dead and that he might not be able to live without her. However, Juliet wakes up at the moment when Romeo falls dead on her lap and she exclaims, “Poison, I see, hath been his timeless end” (5.3.167), signifying the untimely death of Romeo that occurred due to his unnecessary haste.
...te pilot, now at once run on / The dashing rocks thy seasick, weary bark. / Here’s to my love! / O true apothecary, / Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die.” Romeo says that its miserable be alive while his love is dying. He takes the poison just to die, thinking Juliet’s also dead. This was the poorest choice he has ever made because if he had waited a little longer, then he would have seen that Juliet is alive. Romeo’s impulse got the best of him.
With the use of symbolism, or the practice of representing things by means of symbols that give significance to objects (The Free Dictionary 2011), events, or relationships, one can see that this device helps the overall plot and development of characters by showing the significance of emotions, such as guilt, by the players. Symbolism brings a lot to the overall work as it gives the readers a deeper look into the emotions brought up in the play, helps the reader associate symbols to actual meanings, and gives the story a kind of depth that would not be there without.
What makes a piece of literature relevant or irrelevant to a society? There have been many debates on the relevance about particular pieces of literature, especially old literature, in the modern day. Their relevance can be judged by how they address issues happening in society when they were written compared to those same issues today. It can also be judged on whether the themes present can apply to the modern day. And even if a story portrays issues that are either resolved or irrelevant today it can still have value on how it portrays human nature The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is a relevant work for a person in modern times due to its themes on suicide, human recklessness, and violence and revenge.
A symbol is an object, action, or event that represents something or that creates a range of associations beyond itself. In literary works a symbol can express an idea, clarify meaning, or enlarge literal meaning. Select a novel or play and, focusing on one symbol, write an essay analyzing how that symbol functions in the work and what it reveals about the characters or themes of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot. (2009 Open-Ended Question for AP English Literature and Composition).
of Tybalt's death. He felt that he fell into one of fate's many cruel games