The Portrayal of Romeo and Juliet's Relationship in the Play

The Portrayal of Romeo and Juliet's Relationship in the Play

In my opinion, the relationship between Romeo and Juliet is portrayed

in lots of different ways. It is portrayed as tragic, united, shows

signs of true and untrue love, and also shows signs that the couple

are a victim of fate.

In the prologue, we learn that the play will end in tragedy.

'The fearful passage of their death marked love'

This quote is a good summary of their relationship; they are in love

but this love leads to death at the end of the 'passage'. This is also

an example of dramatic irony; the audience knows what is on the way,

making the story even sadder for them.

In Act 2 Scene 2, Romeo is talking about the possibility of being

caught in the Capulet grounds in a very relaxed and romantic manner.

'My life were better ended by their hate….'

This is an example of dramatic irony; Romeo is talking about being

killed by the Capulet's. By the end the audience realises that the

Capulet's actions throughout the film do, in some ways, drive Romeo to

death.

In Act 1, Scene 5, at the party, Shakespeare uses a sonnet to show

their unity.

'Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake,

Then move not while my prayer's effect I take'

This rhyming couplet comes at the end of a sonnet between Romeo and

Juliet. Shakespeare's sonnets were normally spoken by one person but

here he has done it between the lovers on purpose to show the unity

between them.

In a lot of different parts of the play, Romeo and Juliet use

repetition of words to show what they are desiring. Romeo repeats the

word 'love' during a conversation with Benvolio in Act 1 Scene 1.

'This love feel I, that feel no love in this'

Then, in her famous gallop apace speech of Act 3 Scene 2, Juliet

repeats the words 'come' and 'night':

'Come, Night, come, Romeo, come, thou day in night'