Discuss the dramatic effect of the contrasts and opposites in Romeo and Juliet

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Discuss the dramatic effect of the contrasts and opposites in “Romeo and Juliet”

In the play The Most Excellent and Lamentable Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare creates tension and dramatic effects by his use of contrasts; this is illustrated in the variety of characters, the language they use and the many themes within the play: fate versus freewill, love versus hate, youth versus age, Mercutio versus Tybalt, comedy versus tragedy and light versus dark. This constant interchange between what is expected and what is actually presented is the key to the drama; Romeo himself notes “… here’s much to do with hate, but more with love.” An Elizabethan audience were perhaps a challenge to keep entertained, were often easily bored and impatient and required not only the balance between active, violent fight scenes and those of a more gentle, romantic nature but also within scenes, characters themselves are contrasted in terms of age, status and personality. Additionally, there are contradictions and interesting opposites revealed in the actual language used. For example, many arguments expressed in this play serve to highlight the complex and conflicting emotions felt by the characters; all of which would have intrigued an audience of the 1590’s as much as it does now.

Firstly, in the Elizabethan age theatre productions did not have at their disposal the array of sophisticated technology that are able to create spectacular effects on modern stages. Shakespeare’s dramatic effects were achieved through language: Elizabethan audiences relied on the spoken word to carry them through a play. In “Romeo and Juliet” Shakespeare exploits language for dramatic effect most particularly in his use of oxymoron to highlight the contrasts and opposites in the play. The Chorus in the prologue tells us of the protagonists “death-marked love” and Romeo, commenting on the mess and chaos left by the opening clash between the Montagues and Capulets declares that all emotions are linked, “O brawling love! O loving hate!” thus establishing the play’s emotional complexity. His confusion at this early part in the play is down to his love for Rosaline and his choice of words, “feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health” seem doom laden and at odds with expressions of love. Contrast this with the beautifully poetic response of Romeo when he first sees Juliet and compares her to a “rich jewel in the Ethiop’s ear”, contrasting her brightness and preciousness to the dark skin of an African. He further uses contrasts to create a similar effect with the metaphor of describing her as a “snowy dove trooping with crows”. This contrast between the way in which he expresses his earlier infatuated love to up until now, emphasises the truth behind his line that he “ne’er saw true beauty till this night”. Furthermore the danger surrounding Romeo and Juliet is heightened after their first meeting when Juliet, after discovering that Romeo is an enemy of her family declares that she must “love loathed enemy”: Later, after their encounter at her balcony, Juliet cannot bear to say goodbye and the striking expression, “Parting is such sweet sorrow” again reinforces to the audience how their love is from the start tinged with sadness. Not long after their first meeting, for reason of both fate and freewill, Tybalt is killed by Romeo resulting in banishment of Romeo. Here, Juliet’s response of rage and disbelief is expressed with oxymorons that highlight her conflicting feelings towards her lover, “beautiful tyrant” and “fiend angelical”. The audience can understand her pain and grief.

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Interestingly, youth and age is a very important contrast throughout the play. Firstly, there is a huge difference in age between Lord and Lady Capulet as Lord Capulet is much older than his wife. This is mainly portrayed to the audience visually. In Act One, Scene Three Lady Capulet reveals that she was the same age as Juliet (“not fourteen”) when she was her “mother much upon those year”. To a modern audience this is extremely shocking to be married before the age of fourteen and to have had a child, this has a huge dramatic effect on them. ...

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