Themes used in the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet

The theme of the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare is entertainment. This is proven thought the play through use of comedy, drama, romance, and conflict. This style brought people of all ages, mindsets, and social classes to see the play since it used the mixture instead of just a single genre of entertainment. The result was Romeo and Juliet being very entertaining, profitable, and generally succeeding in its purpose.

The use of comedy was usually through sexual puns and double entendre like “ ’Tis true, and therefore women, being the weaker vessels, are ever thrust to the wall. Therefore I will push Montague’s men from the wall and thrust his maids to the wall” (1.1.15-18) and “My naked weapon is out. Quarrel, I will back thee.”(1.1.33-34).These sexual puns almost always solved the problems with traditional comedy not being funny to all social classes nor mindsets. The other type of comedy in the play was more traditional like the panicked start of the fight at the beginning “Do you bite your thumb at us, sir? I do bite my thumb sir. Do you bite your thumb at us, sir? [Aside to Gregory] Is the law of our side if I say “Ay”? [Aside to Sampson] no. No, sir, I do not bite my thumb at you, sir, but I bite my thumb sir.”(1.1.44-52). This comedy also broke the wall between the social classes and mindsets since scenes like this were funny to almost everyone. Both types of comedy usually were funny to almost everyone since they did not depend on certain situations which only a select few would usually experience. Thus this made the play even better at its purpose of entertainment.

The use of drama throughout the play is most prevalent in the last few acts but is also shown thought the rest of the play. When Romeo is...

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... Montagues and Capulets. For example the first combat is caused by that hatred alone "My naked weapon is out. Quarrel, I will back thee. How? Turn thy back and run? Fear me not. No, marry. I fear thee! Let us take the law of our sides; let them begin. I will frown as I pass by, and let them take it as they list. Nay, as they dare. I will bite my thumb at them, which is disgrace to them if they bear it." (1.1.33-43). The actual combat was presented quickly after this in this fashion "Draw if you be men. - Gregory, remember thy washing blow. They fight. Part fools! [Drawing his sword.] Put up your swords. You know not what you do."(1.1.63-65).

These elements were all combined in Romeo and Juliet and put to use to make an interesting plot for the purpose of entertainment.This was a sucess as shown by how long this has been an interesting play to watch and listen to.