How Is Metaphor Used In Romeo And Juliet

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

worship her. He says, “My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand to smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss” (I, v, 106-107). By comparing himself to a pilgrim at a shrine, Romeo indicates that he holds Juliet in as high of a regard as someone praying. If Romeo sees Juliet in this light, he overlooks all of her flaws. This indicates the unhealthy dynamic of their relationship, and teaches the audience that the two should take their time and grow to know each other, including flaws, before rushing into a relationship.

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

to Juliet, akin to a bird on a string, which the owner can completely control. This indicates an unhealthy relationship, as most good ones need a balance of power between the two. Shakespeare’s use of metaphor allows the audience to comprehend the negative aspects of the protagonist’s relationship, which helps them conclude that they should not rush into a relationship, which reiterates that that the most effective relationships contain more substance than solely passion. By using metaphors within his work, Shakespeare reveals the toxic dynamic present within Romeo and Juliet’s relationship.
Shakespeare uses dramatic irony to foreshadow the death of the protagonists. When Juliet hears that Romeo got into a fight with Tybalt, she immediately begins to fear that Romeo died. Juliet exclaims,
“What devil art thou that dost torment me thus?
This torture should be roared in dismal hell.
Hath Romeo slain himself? Say thou but “ay,”
And that bare vowel I shall poison more
Than the death-darting eye of cockatrice.
I am not I if there be such an I,
Or those eyes shut that makes thee answer “ay.”
If he be slain, say “ay,” or if not, “no.”
Brief sounds determine of my weal or woe” ((III, ii, 49-57)

The audience knows that Romeo still lives, but Juliet’s immense concern for his death foreshadows that it could actually occur.

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

says,
“Well, thou hast comforted me marvelous much.
Go in and tell my lady I am gone,
Having displeased my father, to Lawrence’ cell
To make confession and be absolved” (III, v, 243-246)

Juliet tells the nurse that her words effectively comforted her, but their audience knows she lies. Most members of the audience can recall an experience in which they lied to someone, but had intentions of going through with what those close to them advised them not to do. The personal connection adds to their experience.
Shakespeare’s usage of literary devices in Romeo and Juliet enhances his audience’s viewing experience. Specifically, metaphor categorizes the protagonist’s relationship[ as toxic, and dramatic irony foreshadows their imminent deaths. All works of text include various literary techniques, but often for different impacts on their audience. For example, the 2001 play Urinetown, by Mark Hollman and Greg Kotis, provides emphasis on dramatic irony and metaphor. The musical depicts a dystopian future in which drought and a lack of drinking water plague the residents. A company creates a solution that turns urine into drinking water, but citizens need to pay to use these amenities. The government sends those who don’t comply to Urinetown, a mysterious penal colony. A police officer, Lockstock, tells the audience, “There is no Urinetown, we just kill people” (Hollman, Kotis).The rest of the characters in the play remain unaware that the town does not exist, while the audience learns the truth. This works to foreshadow the deaths of characters expecting a Urinetown sentence, similarly to the way Shakespeare uses dramatic irony in his own works. Both work to use common archetypes to provide an easy way for the audience to relate to the play, affecting their viewing experience. Metaphor also appears in the play, but for a completely different purpose than Shakespeare. A young street urchin, Little Sally, protests the idea of Urinetown. She says, “The way I see it, Urinetown isn't so much a place as it is a metaphysical place” (Hollman, Kotis). Sally’s description of Urinetown as a metaphor reveals that it stands for fear and famine. The residents in the musical live in the sort of town that they fear. Urinetown only acts a metaphorical way to express the unfavorable lifestyle they live. Although vastly different from Shakespeare’s use of the device, metaphor serves a completely different, yet still effective purpose within Urinetown. Even 426 years later, Shakespeare's usage of literary devices continues to inspire authors to create more impactful writing.