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Shakespeare's use of dramatic irony and its role in Romeo and Juliet
Shakespeare's use of dramatic irony and its role in Romeo and Juliet
Shakespeare's use of dramatic irony and its role in Romeo and Juliet
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Many authors utilise literary devices to evoke emotions in the the reader, such as joy or sadness. These devices help the audience relate to the story, enhancing their overall viewing experience. Shakespeare appeared as an author who often used such literary devices, especially in his play in Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare’s use of metaphor and dramatic iron enhance his audience’s viewing pleasure by revealing the possessive nature of Romeo and Juliet’s relationship and hinting at the deaths of the protagonists. Many other literary works use these devices, but for widely different purposes. Shakespeare’s use of metaphor reveals the toxic nature of Romeo and Juliet’s relationship. When Romeo meets Juliet at the party, he immediately begins to …show more content…
This teaches the audience that in a good relationship, both people know the other fully, and their love shouldn’t solely base itself upon passion. Throughout the play, Romeo speaks additional religious comparisons to Juliet.During their balcony scene, Romeo eavesdrops on Juliet. Upon hearing her, he says, “O, speak again, bright angel…” (II, ii, 29). Romeo calls Juliet an angel, thereby ignoring her flaws, even though only knowing her for a day. Likewise to Romeo’s past metaphors, his religious comparison demonstrates how little they know about each other, and how much they rush into their relationship. The audience learns that they should not follow the example of the lovers. The valuable lesson Shakespeare teaches enriches his audience’s viewing experience, as they learn to treat a person with respect, but they don't need to worship them blindly. Finally, Shakespeare’s metaphors reveal how possessive the protagonist’s relationship is. Juliet says, “Yet no further than a wanton’s bird… a silken thread plucks it back again,” to which Romeo responds, “I would I were thy bird” (II, ii, 190-196). Romeo wants to constantly live in proximity …show more content…
However, the audience still empathizes with Juliet’s fears, as most people fear the worst in any given situation. The allowance of the audience to relate to Juliet enhances their viewing experience as a whole. Shakespeare uses dramatic irony further when Romeo and Juliet part for their last time. As Romeo climbs down from her balcony, Juliet says, “Methinks I see thee… as one dead in the bottom of a tomb” (III, v, 55-57). Juliet’s vision of Romeo foreshadows his impending death. This reminds the audience of situation in which they can see oncoming symptoms, but only realize after the situation. The personal connection enhances their viewing experiences. Finally, dramatic irony appears when the nurse unsuccessfully attempts to comfort Juliet. Juliet
Throughout the play Romeo and Juliet, written by William Shakespeare in the 16th century, there is consistent theme of conflict featured in terms of both mental, physical and emotional means. The way this dispute is embodied throughout the duration of the play alternates subject to subject to the character in question- but can be represented through many means.
The story between two lovers whose families are diverse and hate each other “Romeo and Juliet” written by William Shakespeare. The story which almost everyone knows about and recognizes because of the storyline and because it’s written by the well-known writer in literature Shakespeare. In the text “When in Doubt, It’s from Shakespeare” written by Thomas Foster the author tells the readers “There is a ubiquity to Shakespeare’s work that makes it rather like a sacred text: at some very deep level he is ingrained in our psyches” (Foster 37). Shakespeare’s work is an important part of history which still lives on until this day and there are many writers who incorporate Shakespeare’s
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.
Romeo furthermore experiences loss in Act 5 Scene 3- the feeling of sorrow towards his newlywed wife Juliet. In this scene, Romeo delivers a monologue to what he believes is Juliet’s corpse. The audience can note that Romeo’s melodramatic nature once again surfaces with this speech, using light and dark imagery (which is a reoccurring theme throughout the play) to poetically pronounce the final soliloquy to his beloved. Somewhat irrationally, Romeo suggests that “unsubstantial death” is “amorous” because Juliet looked so “fair”- believing that a physical form of death has stolen Juliet from him to pursue her as their own lover because she looked so attractive. This absurd notion presents to the audience how Romeo’s reaction to this bereavement
When they first meet, Romeo and Juliet’s relationship is only based on their physical attraction for one another. Here, Romeo is “too sore enpiercèd with his shaft” and is “so bound” he “cannot bound a pitch above dull
Shakespeare unleashes the whole spectrum of emotions, always having at least two scenarios for each scene. These usually come from the characters and Romeo and Juliet is rich in many different uses of language. The play Romeo and Juliet is full of oppositions that beset the doomed lovers. In the prologue, we hear of an "ancient grudge break." to a new mutiny.
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.
Body 1 - While reading the play Romeo and Juliet the amount of dramatic irony Shakespeare uses caught my attention. At first glance I didn't make anything of it, but after re-reading those specific parts that stood out to me I realized his use of dramatic irony was to highlight the fates of Romeo and Juliet. In the prologue, Shakespeare hints at their deaths saying “A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life”(Shakespeare Prologue). During the play, the characters are completely ignorant to their fates. Due to this quote from the prologue, we know they are doomed. We don't know exactly how or when they’re fate will happen, but we know its coming. This comes up later later in Act 2, Scene
“Literary devices or literary techniques are specific structures that writers often use to add meaning or create more compelling stories for the reader” (Literary Devices). When literary devices are properly, they can emphasize a theme, develop character’s personality and emotions, and overall increase the reader’s understanding of the story. One literary genius who understood this concept was William Shakespeare with his play, The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. In it, he describes the star-crossed lovers and their struggle to find happiness. To further the reader’s understanding of his text, Shakespeare strategically incorporates literary devices such as puns, contradictions, and foreshadowing to augment his readers’ understanding of Romeo
Countless people all around the world are familiar with the idea of the famously tragic tale of two star-crossed lovers in William Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet. Their heart wrenching love story has been an inspiration for many literature pieces throughout various genres and later cinematic works of art. The young couple was not only memorable for their passionate, devoted love, but also the tragic events that ultimately lead to their death. One aspect of the play that has a strong impact on the audience is Shakespeare’s use of charismatic and compelling language seen throughout the play. The unique personality traits used to describe Romeo and Juliet allows many to relate to the young lovers. Shakespeare’s use of descriptive language, allows the audience to understand the societal expectations, beliefs, and values set out for the men and women of Verona, Italy. Romeo’s character, however, can be been seen defying these expectations and also
The prince’s speech in Romeo and Juliet was given after a fight broke out in the market between the rich families by the name of Montague’s and Capulet’s. The Prince said during his speech “Your lives shall forfeit the peace in my city” Is a bit of foreshadowing and how someone might have to pay their life for taking away the peace of his city. Later on in the story Capulet gets killed by Romeo, therefore he will have to pay his life because he once again disturbed the streets of Verona. Romeo was lucky enough to have kept his life, but he is banned from Verona for the rest of his life. “Three civil brawls bred of an airy word,” Meant that this isn’t the first time that the two families have fought. “Bred of an airy word” the two sides had a great battle just because of a few words. Shakespeare’s also like to use Iambic pentameter to show that speakers are of a higher class. It means that there does not have to be a rhyme scheme. Shakespeare does play with the word he uses so every line has the same amount of syllables. There are also different stresses on each word to kind of give ...
Shakespeare employs multiple expedients to expose the impulsive and emotional characteristics in Romeo’s behavior and personality. In the first place, Romeo’s internal feelings and perceptions help determine his full character. Also, the way others view him contributes and aids in proving his disposition. In conclusion, Romeo’s own actions and responses support Shakespeare in drawing Romeo’s character. The world recognizes Romeo and Juliet as an unsurpassed and classic love story.
...tion the audience does he confronts Romeo and loses his life in a fight. In the most heartrending instance of dramatic irony, Romeo kills himself after seeing Juliet in her grave. Romeo’s death is all the more tragic because the audience is aware that Juliet is in fact not dead, and had this information gotten to Romeo neither him nor Juliet would have died.
Ultimately, Romeo and Juliet become embodiments of impulsiveness. Through their rash words and actions in the tragedy “Romeo and Juliet”, Shakespeare sets forth that both are too hasty in their decisions, leading them into unfortunate events. As the plot unfolds, Romeo and Juliet’s futile love is torn apart by their family’s hate and animosity towards each other. Despite their constant struggle to let their love survive, it is doomed from the beginning of the tragedy. It is plain that lack of foresight and wisdom leads to disaster all around.
William Shakespeare utilizes literary techniques such as symbolism, imagery, soliloquies, asides, and irony to explore the themes of Good vs. Evil and Suffering in his play Macbeth. He employs these literary techniques to convey meaning, greater the effect of language, bring the audience into the mind of a character, and evoke emotions in the audience such as surprise or humour.