English Literature: Romeo and Juliet

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Zakaria Kurdi 11A English Literature Romeo and Juliet

The fate of Romeo and Juliet was doomed from the very beginning. In this play every character has played an influential part on the lives of Romeo and Juliet, which, sadly led to this heart-breaking end. In this essay I shall discuss which characters brought this depressing ending to such a beautiful couple.

From the very beginning of this play in the prologue both Romeo and Juliet are described as "star cross’d lovers". The meaning of the word "star" in this sentence is fate. Which in the context means that they have met each other by fate. Also "death-mark’d love". Which instantly implies that their love to each other shall end with death.

In this essay nearly every character plays a very influential part on the lives of Romeo and Juliet. Starting with both families as a whole. Both Montagues and Capulets have been ancient enemies. In this play William Shakespeare has based both feuding families on what was happening around him. Which was: the feud between the House of York and the House of Lancaster. Another scene whereas William Shakespeare refers to something social is where he states the word "rose".

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet"

The rose at that point of history was an inn on the same road as the globe theatre. Many people would go there to have a drink. So when the audience heard that line they would have thought it very humorous and only understood it as: the "rose" inn would still be the same even if its name were changed. Also coincidentally the emblem of the House of York was the White rose. And the emblem of the House of Lancaster was the Red rose. Which ties in with the word "rose" Emphasising its importance at that point of history.

In this play the character Tybalt is looked at as one that is very troublesome and problematic. In act 1 scene 1 he reveals his true feelings towards the Montagues and shows his opinion about peace. He states after arguing with Benvolio:  

"What, drawn, and talk of peace! I hate the word

                                         As I hate hell, all Montagues and thee."

What has happened in this scene is that the servants of the Montagues have dropped in on the servants of the Capulets. About to battle Benvolio stops them, who, is rudely interrupted by the unimpressive remarks of Tybalt. Already from here the reader will see that there is little hope between these families as the feud has not only been going on for many years yet even the servants of both families feel it is their duty to battle each other. Which shows there should be no hope for Romeo and Juliet.

Benvolio is seen as a peacemaker between the families. He tries to prevent the fight at the beginning of the play and is a good friend of Romeo’s. It is quite ironic that the person attempting to contain the peace within both families was the one who unintentionally introduced Romeo to Juliet. It is also ironic that the words Benvolio used to persuade Romeo that his sadness would only disappear after he meets another girl contained imagery of disease.

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"Take thou some new infection to thy eye"

This sentence can have many meanings. The first meaning is that he is calling "girls" as a whole, infections, which is a disease that may leave or may never leave the diseased. The second meaning is that he is implying that his first "love" Rosaline is like a disease, because he states "new infection to thy eye". Which means another infection.    

Also in act 1 scene 1 Benvolio has a conversation with Romeo telling him:

Benvolio: "Be ruled by me, forget to think of her"

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