Shakespeare’s Use of Language and Imagery in Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare, is a dramatic love story
between to 16th Century lovers, this essay will consider the imagery
and language Shakespeare uses and how this establishes Romeo and
Juliet as 16th Century lovers.
When Romeo first set eyes on Juliet at the Capulet ball he
compliments her, “cheek of night,” Romeo thinks she is soft and looks
superb. He describes her as a “rich jewel” as she shines and is full
of beauty, Shakespeare compares Juliet against an unattractive
background of an “Ethiop’s ear” which makes her be prominent and be
stunning. Juliet is “beauty too rich for use, for Earth too dear,” she
is too attractive and valuable for this Earth. Juliet’s loveliness
stands out amongst the ugly, “so shows a snowy dove trooping with
crows.” Romeo speaks of Juliet’s angelic qualities; her persona
affects him positively, influencing his speech. In the closing lines
of this extract Romeo denies his sight as he has “ne’er saw true
beauty till this night,” Romeo is so astounded by Juliet’s splendour
he doesn’t believe she’s real.
Act 1 Scene 5: lines 92 to 109 is a Shakespearean sonnet, a love poem
made up of 14 lines- 3 quatrains and 1 rhyming couplet. Romeo
“profanes” with his “unworthiest hand.” Shakespeare calls Juliet’s
hand “this holy shrine, the gentle sin is this,” Romeo doesn’t think
it is a big sin. Shakespeare uses religious imagery such as Romeo’s
lips like “two blushing pilgrims, ready stand.” His lips are like two
travellers on a journey to reach their god. Juliet continues his
imagery, “Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much,” Romeo’s hand
shows proper respect in touching her hand. By Romeo and Juliet both
using metaphors like “holy palmers,” “saints, “pilgrims” and “pray,”
Shakespeare is confirming the purity of their love. “Have not saints
lips, and holy palmers too?” “Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in
prayer,” Juliet tells Romeo saints only use their lips for prayer.
Act 1 scene 3 and Act 3 scene 5 of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet
Shakespeare and The Brutality of Love Figurative language can say a lot of things about anything. It’s found in plays, movies, books, etc. The dramatic and famous Shakespeare play Romeo and Juliet has a lot of examples of figurative language. More so about; the brutality of love.
William Shakespeare’s diverse use of rhetorical and figurative language enhances and develops the moods he conveys, thus creating vast and various atmospheres throughout his works. An example of one his works that uses many of these devices is Shakespeare’s renowned Romeo and Juliet. In the famous play, the two lovebirds (Romeo and Juliet), fall in a forbidden love as the long-lasting rivalry between their two families continues its onslaught. The couple later on tragically commit suicide, which ultimately ends the feud. During the journey of the two lovers, Shakespeare expresses clearly the mood of each scene using figurative language.
Shakespeare's Use of Language to Show the Relationship Between Romeo and Juliet Shakespeare uses a lot of similes, metaphors and imagery to describe the relationship between Romeo and Juliet. Some of the language he uses is very sexual and intimate. In act 2 scene 2 Shakespeare shows how Romeo and Juliet are falling in love with one another and the use of his language shows the power of their love. The very first line of the scene Romeo says, “He jests at scars that never felt a wound.” Romeo is talking about Mercutio joking about something he has never felt.
In Romeo and Juliet, words are frequently the choice of weapon for characters, yet they are also beautiful and show deep affection from one character to another. Thus far in the story, powerful words have acted both from insult as well as adoration between characters, going even further than many actions taken by characters. From beginning fights such as that between Romeo and Tybalt to starting a marriage between Romeo and Juliet, powerful words have undeniably been vital throughout the story.
Romeo & Juliet Romeo and Juliet was a tragedy, but it did not have to be. Many things could have been done to prevent their deaths. Many characters contributed to their deaths. The sole character that was responsible for their deaths is Friar Lawrence. Friar Lawrence is responsible for the deaths of the lovers because he was secretive with their relationship, he was unable communicate effectively, and he had a cowardly persona.
William Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet” was written by Shakespeare in 1595, and was the
Language and Dramatic Devices in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Introduction Shakespeare’s play ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is known as a love tragedy. features many rhymed verses, especially when Romeo and Juliet first. speak.
William Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet written by William Shakespeare, tells the story of too unfortunate lovers caught up in their family’s hatred which in the end leads to the tragic deaths of both lovers. Classical Greek tragedy influenced Renaissance writers greatly Shakespeare was no exception. According to the dictionary, fate is ‘the supposed force, principle, or power that predetermines event.’ Which means that it is out of our hands.
Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet has been modified numerous times and has been a source of inspiration for many playwrights and directors. Franco Zeffirelli and Baz Luhrmann are examples of directors that use Shakespeare’s legendary tragedy as a basis for their films.
unclean.” and at the end of the play "For never was a story of more
One of the main catalysts in Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' is powerful, uncontrollable emotions; love, hate, wrath, infatuation, and outrage are all apparent in the play and have a direct impact on the tragic events that unfold. In act one, scene two, the strongest emotions conveyed are those of despair, love and sincerity. Shakespeare uses imagery, figurative language and powerful vocabulary to convey these emotions to the audience.
The light and dark imagery that Shakespeare uses in this passage describes Juliet as a young and eager lover. Romeo associates Juliet with light meaning goodness. Then Romeo says that Juliet looks like the excellent night. The night that Romeo speaks of represents Rosaline. Romeo basically says through with light and dark imagery, that Juliet is as good as Rosaline to love. Romeo then compares Juliet to a "winged messenger of heaven" who filled with lightness and goodness. He says that all humans look upon this kindness as the messenger "bestrides the lazy puffing clouds" while doing his errands. Romeo explains using this imagery that everyone looks at Juliet because she gives off a stunning and intricate outlook.
Literary devices play a crucial and essential role in almost all works of literature. Literary devices are techniques used by the writer in order to conjure moods and ideas within the reader. Writers use different literary devices for different purposes. One very important literary device is imagery. In imagery, words are used to invoke an image in the reader's mind. One writer that utilizes a great deal of imagery is William Shakespeare. In William Shakespeare's tragedy Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare uses images of poison and death to create moods of death and sorrow.
William Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet The two chief families in Verona were the rich Capulets and the Montagues. There had been an old quarrel between these families, which was grown to such a height, and so deadly was the enmity between them, that it extended to the remotest kindred, to the followers and retainers of both sides, insomuch that a servant of the house of Montague could not meet a servant of the house of Capulet, nor a Capulet encounter with a Montague by chance, but fierce words and sometimes bloodshed ensued; and frequent were the brawls from such accidental meetings, which disturbed the happy quiet of Verona's streets. Old lord Capulet made a great supper, to which many fair ladies and many noble guests were invited. All the admired beauties of Verona were present, and all comers were made welcome if they were not of the house of Montague. At this feast of Capulets, Rosaline, beloved of Romeo, son to the old lord Montague, was present; and though it was dangerous for a Montague to be seen in this assembly, yet Benvolio, a friend of Romeo, persuaded the young lord to go to this assembly in the disguise of a mask, that he might see his Rosaline, and seeing her compare her with some choice beauties of Verona, who (he said) would make him think his swan a crow.