Examples Of Foreshadowing In Romeo And Juliet

In the story of Romeo and Juliet Shakespeare uses foreshadowing to hint at how Romeo will develop throughout the story.
Romeo is initially presented as an immature adolescent who has never experienced "real" love, but as the story continues he matures and experiences "real love." In the beginning of the story Romeo is "in love" with Rosaline but she doesn't love him back "she'll not be hit with Cupid's arrow. She hath Dian's wit, and, in strong proof of chastity well armed" (1.1,216-218). The fact that Romeo finally realizes that Rosaline doesn't love him back really foreshadows that Romeo will fall in love with someone else considering the title and genre of the book. Also, Romeo's sense of immaturity is very visible in act 1 "O she is rich

in beauty, only poor that, when she dies, with beauty dies her store" (1.1,223-224). The fact that Romeo is stressing over her future, instead of letting go of her, really demonstrates his immaturity in "love."
As the story develops, so does Romeo.

His increase in maturity is marked by the change in his language. He begins to speak in blank verse as well as rhyme, which allows his language to sound more like everyday language. When Romeo is on his way to the Capulet feast, it really foreshadows that their may be a first meeting between him and Juliet, but their is also a sense of foreboding in Romeo. "My mind misgives Some consequence yet hanging in the stars shall bitterly begin his fearful date"(1.4,106-107). The fact that Romeo has a sense of foreboding, really foreshadows that there is going to be a conflict seperating Romeo and Juliet.
When Romeo recieves the news of Juliet's death, he exhibits maturity as he decides to die next to her "Well Juliet, I will lie with thee tonight" (5.1,36). The fact that he reacts calmily to her death, really shows how he has evolved into a more mature character.
After killing Paris, Romeo remorsefully fulfills Paris' dying wish to be laid next to Juliet. Romeo notes that both he and Paris are victims of fate because they both fell in love with somone who didn't love them back. He describes Paris as: "One writ with me in sour misfortune's book" (5.3,83). The fact that Romeo understands Paris' love for Juliet and compares it to his with Rosaline, really allows the reader to comprehend Romeo's evolution from immature to

mature.
Shakespeares use of foreshadowing really helped illustrate Romeo's development and the fact that Romeo and Juliet's relationship won't work out.