Romeo And Juliet Act 18 Analysis

In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, lines 14-27 of Act IV, Scene 3, In Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, act IV scene 3, lines 14-27, Juliet is speaking her thoughts aloud to herself. Juliet found out that she is required to marry Paris. This situation has led Juliet to go to the friar for a solution. In result to that, the friar gave her a vial with a mixture that would supposedly make Juliet “dead like” for forty-two hours. Juliet planned to drink it that night so that her so her family would put her in an open casket the next morning. It was planned that Romeo would then come get her and they would go live together in Mantua. These plans go horribly wrong. Juliet is worried about the mixture. She wonders if it will work or kill her. Juliet gets scared that the friar gave her a poison because

this marriage was dishonorable. Juliet fears death slightly, but she fears living without Romeo most of all.
A paradox is a statement or proposition that seems absurd but in reality suggest a truth. When Juliet expresses, “That almost freezes up the heat of life” (4.3 16) this is a paradox. Juliet compares her fear of never seeing Romeo again to her possible happiness in life. These lines Juliet is speaking are a soliloquy. That means Juliet is speaking her deepest thoughts aloud for the audience. These poetic devices develop seriousness to the meaning of the lines. It makes the reader feel nervous and anticipate the big decision Juliet will have to make. Shakespeare also uses very specific imagery. For example, “faint cold fear” (4.3 15). The use of words like these help develop the meaning by giving the reader a vivid picture or feeling. These devices also provide the reader with a specific understanding of the sobriety of the situation. Shakespeare does a magnificent job of using poetic elements such as these.
These lines connect with many other passages in the play.

It compares to other passages such as when Juliet has to make the critical decision to marry Paris or be disowned. These lines compare because in both situations Juliet is having to make a critical decision. These decisions have bad consequences on both sides. We know the consequences that will come of her marriage decision, but the consequences of the mixture are different. If Juliet drinks the mixture, there is no guarantee it will work and if she does not drink the mixture, she would have to marry Paris or kill herself. As the reader can see, both sides of the decision have horrendous consequences. The lines also contrast with other passages. In these lines, Juliet is having a conflict inside herself. In other passages the conflict is spoken aloud and the decision is made publicly. This is not the first time Juliet has feared living without Romeo. In act 3, Juliet weeped on her knees because of Romeo’s banishment. These lines in scene four suggest that these idea’s are coming up again. Juliet's soliloquy in scene four connects to other passages and is normal to the Shakespearean form of

writing.