When asking someone how much they value friendship and what friendship means to them, you may find that nobody will give you the same answer. Some may say that friendship is one of the most valuable relationships in life and that this should mean life or death. Other may think that simple arguments are worth losing long term relationships and friendship is something to be taken lightly. Shakespeare tackles the theme of friendship in A Midsummer Night's Dream and Romeo and Juliet by using figurative language, diction, and characterization.
Shakespeare shows the theme of friendship through figurative language in Romeo and Juliet as well as in A Midsummer Night's Dream. In the fight scene of Romeo and Juliet, Romeo himself establishes that,
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“To such a greeting. Villain am I none” III.i.65 Before the death of his good friend Mercutio, Romeo was not interested in fighting and he did not characterize himself as an enemy.
After Mercutio is injured and passes, Romeo jumps clearly out of his comfort zone to attack back at Tybalt , Mercutio’s killer. This illustrates that Romeo values his friendship even through consequences and Shakespeare compares Romeo to a villain to show this dramatic character shift. Using figurative language to define Romeo as a Villain shows the seriousness of this situation and how intense this fight scene was. Friendship in Romeo and Juliet is not something to take lightly, friendship means you would be willing to die for each other. However, in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Shakespeare expands the theme of friendship through two childhood friends Helena and Hermia. The girls have had later quarrel but when talking about …show more content…
their lasting friendship, Helena lists, “So we grew together, like to a double cherry” III.ii.212 Before they had issues with one another, they had a sister like bond. Shakespeare shares their history through a simile comparing them close like cherries which gives a silly feeling to this moment. In a Midsummer Night's Dream, friendship can come and go whereas in Romeo and Juliet friendship is taken meaningfully and serious. In each of these plays by Shakespeare, the theme of friendship is greatly present and shown through figurative language. The word choice or diction can alter the meaning and interpretation of what each character is thinking in terms of friendship in both A Midsummer Night's Dream and Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare.
In the play Romeo and Juliet, Romeo is perceived as not only a lover but a lover with purpose. Romeo pleads, "Till thou shalt know the reason of my love" III.i.71 emphasizing that when standing up for a friend, it's important to include the why and that there is a deep connection between these two friends. The key word in this quote is "reason" because it was specifically chosen to inform the reader that the bond between Romeo and Mercutio is held together by the sacrifices each has given for each other which wonderfully summarizes the value of friendship in Romeo and Juliet. In the fight scene between Helena and Hermia, Hermia screams, "You juggler! You canker-blossom! You thief of love!" III.ii.290-291 at Helena. Hermia insults Helena which shows that she is in fact upset but not in a serious matter. Over a simple misunderstanding, Hermia disregards her friendship with Helena and only focuses on the exact moment and what she knows now. Romeo and Juliet deals with a friendship that is loyal and valuable compared to A Midsummer Nights Dream where friendship is transient and can come and go. Diction follows the feelings between the characters and how they feel about
eachother. The characters in Romeo and Juliet as well as A Midsummer Night’s Dream further develop the theme of friendship through the traits they carry and their characterization written by Shakespeare. With or without knowing, Romeo killed Tybalt with great consequences that followed, he's told, "Romeo, away, begone! the citizens are up, and Tybalt is slain" III.i 138-139. After watching his best friend killed, his rage and anger was taken out on Tybalt resulting in his banishment. This shows Romeo character has this significant respect for his friend and even after Mercutio has died, he must still represent him. In Romeo and Juliet, friendship means you stand up for each other no matter the consequences. Friendship is delicate in A Midsummer Nights Dream and it different in the way that, "You spend your passion on a misprised mood" III.ii.74. This quote is by Demetrius telling Hermia that she is over exaggerating a problem which shows how easily she can let go of her friends. Through characterization, it is clear that Hermia does not think much before burning bridges with her closest friends. Shakespeare writes Romeo and Juliet with intense emotion and passion between the characters and A Midsummer Nights Dream is filled with love, comedy and friendly drama. In each of these stories, friendship is carried out through the use of characterization. Throughout both plays, Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream the theme of friendship is analyzed and taken on different levels through figurative language, diction, and elements of characterization. Romeo and Juliet holds friendship on a serious level like life and death situation and deep connections between people. In contrast, A Midsummer Night's Dream uncovers that friendship is fragile and can fall apart easily. Friendship can mean a variety of things but in the end it's beneficial to have people in your life who truly care about you.
Romeo and Juliet, written by William Shakespeare, is a story of two young lovers. These two hearts, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet belong to feuding families. The family feud causes them to keep their love a secret and therefore only Romeo, Juliet, Benvolio, the Nurse and Friar Lawrence know of their love. Romeo and Juliet are able to look past the feud and let themselves fall in mad love with the other. They let themselves do almost anything for the other and at times it seems like too much to do, even for the one they love. Although fate and character traits play a key role in the play, ultimately Rome and Juliet’s personal choices lead to their downfall.Fate originates all of the conflicts in Romeo and Juliet, from when they met until they die.
Friar Lawrence is a humble and holy who is respected by the other characters. Figurative language and dramatic conventions give a well-grounded understanding of his motives, traits and values. His main motive is peace between the families he “All I had wanted to achieve was peace.” As a friar he respects the Montague’s and Capulet’s. The quote represents his motive that he wanted the feuding to stop. When he married Romeo and Juliet he wished for more then their happiness. He hoped that the marriage would bring families together. When witnessing the deaths he says in sorrow, “I’m a friar holy and peaceful.” “Oh lord the poor deaths that lie in front of me. Are due to my greed to resolve the feud.” The term friar represents his traits, being
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.
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
“Nothing is perfect. Life is messy. Relationships are complex...People are irrational” said physiologist, Hugh Mackay. As a matter of fact nothing was perfect for Romeo and Juliet. Their lives were messy. Their relationship was complex. And they certainly did act irrationally. Romeo and Juliet quickly fell in love at the beginning of the plot in the play, named after them, created by Shakespeare. To be able to escape from her home and be with her love, Juliet drank a potion that made her seem dead. Romeo, not knowing about the plan, took his life at the sight of her “dead” body. When Juliet woke up and saw Romeo dead, she ended up killing herself as well due to his death. Shakespeare portrays the message that being in love can cloud people’s
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.
Who would be willing to die for their loved ones? Romeo and Juliet would and did. Romeo and Juliet’s love and death brought two families together who could not even remember the origin of their hate. When the parents saw what their children's love for each other, they realized that their fighting had only led to suffering and insoluble conflict. Romeo and Juliet loved each other to an extent that they killed themselves rather than live apart. They did it with no hiatus. Juliet says before she kills herself, “O happy dagger, This is thy sheath. There rust and let me die.”( 5, 3, 182-183) demonstrating how she would rather die than not be with him.
One of the main catalysts in Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' is powerful, uncontrollable emotions; love, hate, wrath, infatuation, and outrage are all apparent in the play and have a direct impact on the tragic events that unfold. In act one, scene two, the strongest emotions conveyed are those of despair, love and sincerity. Shakespeare uses imagery, figurative language and powerful vocabulary to convey these emotions to the audience.
Language and Dramatic Devices in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Introduction Shakespeare’s play ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is known as a love tragedy. features many rhymed verses, especially when Romeo and Juliet first. speak.
Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. Language of Literature. Ed. Arthur N. Applebee. Evanston: McDougal Littell, 2002. Print.
Love is a very powerful force which some believe has the capability to overpower hate. Within the play, Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare displays various events in which the characters convey the message that love can conquer all. The characters in this play continue to forgive the ones they love, even under harsh circumstances. Additionally, Shakespeare effectively demonstrates how Romeo and Juliet’s love for one another overpowers significant emotional scenes within the play, including the feuding between their two families. Furthermore, by the end of the play the reader sees how love defeats the shock of death and how Romeo and Juliet’s love ends the ancient feud between the Capulets and Montagues. Using these three events, the reader sees Shakespeare’s message of how love can conquer all. In the desperate battle between love and hate, Shakespeare believes love to be the more powerful force in the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet.
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
unclean.” and at the end of the play "For never was a story of more
The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, is a well known play. That it is still performed in theaters and English classes to this day. The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is a play about two star crossed lovers, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet. They fall in love, despite of the feud between their families. They were forced to keep their love secret because of their families, and they also got married without their families figuring out. This story is still read now because of its strong usage of literary elements. The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet endures time because of its expert use of literary elements including foreshadowing, metaphor, and simile.
“Is she a Capulet? O dear account! my life is my foe’s debt” (1.5.117-118). There are many factors that put pressure on Romeo’s and Juliet’s relationship throughout Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The young couple is effected in many ways by every instance that creates stress which Romeo’s and Juliet’s relationship is being forced to carry. The biggest factors that impact them are, their families ongoing feud, the broken relationships they both have in their families, and all the instances of miscommunication. Through the story of the couple who meet one another at a dance, sneak around at night to see one another, and fight for eachother, they face challenges many challenges, that add stress to their relationship.