Death In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

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The subject of death is one of the most prominent elements found in both modern and traditional literatures, and it often plays a significant role in the development of the plot. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare is no exception to this norm. In this play, a pair of star-crossed lovers finds themselves married despite an ancient family feud. As the play proceeds as a story of love, the reader quickly realizes through Shakespeare’s subtle usages of foreshadowing and dialogue that death is inevitable for the two young lovers. In a later film interpretation of the play, director Franco Zeffirelli also tries to capture the inevitability of Romeo and Juliet’s death by using sounds. Since the film version of Romeo and Juliet effectively portray
For example, at the end of Act 1 Scene 4, Romeo says, “I fear too early, for my mine misgives / Some consequences yet hanging in the stars / Shall bitterly begin his fearful date… / By some vile forfeit of untimely death” (I.iv.113-118). One may interpret Romeo’s statement as such: if he goes to the party, it will lead to dire consequences that will eventually lead to his death. Since earlier in the play, Shakespeare makes use of a chorus to leave out any kind of doubt regarding Romeo’s suicide, the audience immediately anticipate the outcome of the story as such when they read Romeo’s soliloquy. Foreshadowing is once used again a few scenes later when Friar Lawrence marries Romeo and Juliet. He says, “These violent delights have violent ends / And in their triumph die like fire and gunpowder... / Therefore love moderately. Long love doth so” (II.vi.9-14). Here, Friar Lawrence is implying that couple's passionate relationship would end just as ferociously as it has first begun. Just like fire and gunpowder, the two’s desire for each other will be extinguished eventually. Additionally, the fact that Friar Lawrence describes Romeo’s love for Juliet would end so drastically direct the audience into thinking why this elaborate imagery and foreboding is found in perhaps the most joyful scenes in the play. Based upon the audiences’ prior
For example, the theme song, What is a Youth, is first played during the Capulet Ball when Romeo and Juliet become acquainted with each other. The lyrics and instrumental background with its high crescendos and the gradual diminuendo quickly arises the audiences’ feelings like excitement and sorrow. When the song reach its climax, that is, “Death will come soon to hush us along,” it strongly evokes a sense of worriedness in the audience. Then, when it reaches its ending, “A rose will bloom, and then it will fade. So does a youth. So does the fairest maid,” the audience feel a sense of anticipation. Accordingly, the song swells in the background as passionate kisses are shared between Romeo and Juliet. When the two stop kissing, the tune “Death will come soon to hush us along” repeats soon again, foreshadowing the eventual death of the couple. This tune would once again be used in the scene that Romeo and Juliet actually

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