"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"
Romeo: "O, teach me how I should forget to think"
Benvolio: "By giving liberty unto thine eyes; examine other beauties"
Here Benvolio uses the word eyes again. He thinks as Romeo does; that the beauty of a lady is on the outside and not in her personality. Also the word "liberty" is dramatic irony because in the end, both families are liberated from the war they had because Romeo examined other beauties and had his eyes infected with the everlasting image of Juliet.
Benvolio continues:
"I’ll pay that doctrine, or else die in debt"
Benvolio states that he will teach Romeo to forget Rosaline or else he will die attempting to do so. This is strong dramatic irony as Benvolio does go on to persuade Romeo to see another girl. Juliet. Moreover, as a consequence of what he said he does not die. Which shows that there was time taken considering the structure of this play.
Tybalt in this play is regarded as a very fuming, merciless character. He embraces the occurrence of a fight whenever he can. Such as in act 1 scene 1 where he wants to fight Benvolio. Yet Benvolio refuses. Also in act 1 scene 5 whereas Romeo and friends enter the Capulet mansion and he is almost fishing for trouble. He has gone to the extent of trying to catch his enemies by their voices just to start a fight:
"This, by his voice, should be a Montague"
This shows the level that he has gone to only for the sake of a fight. It seems that war is in his blood. Also the language that Shakespeare put this sentence in is very tense as he inserted two commas, which made the reading of this sentence seem tenser. Which, slowly helps portray the characters personality. Tybalt then goes on to talk to Capulet that there is a Montague in the house. Yet is disapproved of and leaves the masquerade. Here Capulet tells Tybalt:
"What, Goodman boy! I say, he shall; go to!
I am the master here, or you? Go to!"
Here the words "go to" and "Go to" are expressed in an annoyed way. It is ironic that on that day Capulet did not want any trouble to happen. This, in my opinion can be for three reasons: the first being that he did not want the party to be ruined so that he would not have a bad reputation. As reputation, in those days was very important. The second being that maybe he wanted the feud to end. Calling Tybalt a "boy". Which means a child, almost irresponsible for his acts. Also it can mean that maybe the feuds they have previously had were for childish reasons such as reputation. Also the second time Capulet says "Go to" the word "go" is written with a capital letter to imply and show the reader the annoyance Capulet was undergoing.
Ironically the word "Tybalt" means prince of cats. The prince of cats is the tiger. The lion is the king of cats. Possibly Shakespeare chose this name for this character to add emphasis to his personality. Also the meaning of his name being "Prince of cats" could be regarded as emphasis on what he yearns most. Which is to be a prince. This also would explain why he acts so harshly as 1: he is like an animal – absent-minded. 2: He wants to be a prince no matter the price. Even if it means killing people out side the feud. Also the word tiger begins with letter "t" and coincidentally so does his name.
In my opinion it is very misfortunate that Romeo was put in the position of watching a good friend of his die. This friend is Mercutio. He was neither a Capulet nor a Montague. Simply another innocent victim added to the list of deaths that this persistent feud has caused. Which resulted in the prince losing a close relative and the tragic exile of Romeo.
As Mercutio was dying he cried out in pain and agony:
"A plague O both your houses!"
Here he is directing his speech to both Capulets and Montagues. This sentence portrays a lot of dramatic irony as in the end both families lose their beloved children: Romeo and Juliet, which to any parent is a plague. Some parents may not be able to handle the death or exile of their children and so Romeo’s mother died. This may have been for two reasons. Either she could not accept the fact that her son was sentenced to exile. Or she did not want to lose her reputation.
Throughout this play Friar Laurence is like a father to Romeo. This is seen in act 2 scene 3 whereas he tells Romeo:
"That’s my good son; but where hast thou been, then?"
Here is an indication that Friar Laurence loves Romeo as a son. He takes care of him and helps him whenever he can. Also the Friar is known as a holy man and "Romeo" is a name of one of the Sons of God. So it is ironic when Romeo tells the Friar "father" and Friar Laurence tells Romeo "son" just as if Friar Laurence is God and Romeo is his son.
Perhaps Shakespeare chose the name Romeo for the son of Montague to indicate that Montague is the "God" of that tribe and Romeo is his son. Another thing is that parents at that point in history weren’t close to their children. Fathers controlled their daughters "future" and planned whom they would marry. As occurred in act 3 scene 4. Whereas Juliet's father arranged her marriage to Paris the following Thursday:
"Well, get you gone; o’ Thursday be it, then."
Which he says with relative ease. Emphasising the weak bond between Juliet and him. Also Capulet does not ask of her approval. He decides her life. There are many reasons why Capulet may have decided to allow Paris to marry his daughter. Firstly: Marrying Paris would make the family stronger economically, socially and politically. Seeming that Paris is a relative of the prince. Secondly: Because Tybalt recently died. Thirdly: To imply to the audience or reader that at that point in time daughters had no choice in anything. They must do as ordered. Possibly what happened to Juliet and Romeo happened because they defied their parents orders.
The Friar as mentioned was a great friend of Romeo and would do anything for him. When Romeo asked Friar Laurence to perform his marriage to Juliet the Friar did not refuse. There are many reasons that may explain why he did not refuse. Firstly from his love towards Romeo. Secondly he thought that if he married the two peace would unite both families and end this "ancient" feud.
In act 2 scene 3 Friar Laurence says:
"And vice sometimes by action dignified"
Which means that sometimes-evil things may lead into good deeds. This shows that he is unsure yet is taking a gamble saying that if Romeo makes the right moves after his secret marriage its unlawfulness can lead to happiness and peace, uniting both families together.
In act 2 scene 6 before the marriage of Romeo and Juliet precedes the Friar says something very ironic:
"The violent delights have violent ends,
And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,"
Here the dramatic irony reinforces the fact that the fate of both Romeo and Juliet is doomed. What Friar Laurence has said above means that violent delights, meaning the happiness Romeo and Juliet are feeling now will end in a violent way. He also mentions the word "die" which happens to both of them. Also the word "violent" is mentioned which may be as a description to the ongoing feud between both families. Also, the image of "fire and powder" is very interesting. Here the Friar describes Romeo and Juliet as fire and powder possibly because Juliet is pale. This is an image as fire and powder would end up with a big explosion. Yet he describes the meeting of fire and powder with death as in just dying out.
The Friar reiterates what was stated earlier on when Romeo and Benvolio seemed to judge women by their appearance and not their personality. The Friar says:
"Young men’s love then lies Not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes."
It may be foolish of Romeo to have followed his eyes and not his heart. Maybe it was that which led to his death. Also those two lines rhyme. This helps the reading of the play flow easier. Which creates a nice rhythm in the reading of the play and allows the sentences to be read almost faster. Also the word "lies" has been mentioned and spelt in the way that can mean untruthfulness. Perhaps indirectly the Friar is trying to say that Romeo’s love is a lie.
Finally I would like to say that I think Romeo knew that this would never work out yet Romeo had a mind of his own. And wanted to try his luck against all odds. Which in my opinion is why this play is so loved and famous. It shows a fight against destiny and a sad ending. Here are a few quotes that back up why I say this.
In act 3 scene 1 after the death of Mercutio Romeo says:
"This day’s black fate on more days doth depend"
This means that this is the first of more evil things to come this day. It is dramatically ironic that what Romeo said retaliated on him. As his emotions won him over and he lost his temper sending brutal Tybalt to his deathbed. The other meaning for this sentence is that the fate of Romeo is doomed.
In act 3 scene 1 after slaying Tybalt Romeo says:
"O, I am fortune’s fool!"
Here Romeo feels he is very unlucky for what has happened and that things will not work out. Yet before Romeo leaves that scene curious Benvolio says: "why dost thou stay" For he does not know of their secret marriage and that Romeo has killed his wives’ cousin.
Also in act 3 scene 3 Romeo describes to the Friar how exile for him is like being sent to hell.
"Heaven is here, Where Juliet lives; and every cat and dog and little mouse, every unworthy thing, Live here in heaven and may look on her; But Romeo may not"
Here he describes him self as dead with his Juliet. Also he went to the Friar’s cell and not to his own house, which shows there is no strong connection between him and his parents. Also there is good use of imagery whereas Shakespeare says all unworthy animals may see Juliet but Romeo. Making Romeo unworthy and feel like his exile was out of "heaven".
Concluding this essay I would like to say that all the way through this play the doors seem locked for Romeo. His fate with Juliet was doomed from the very beginning and the only way for them two, to be together was to be dead. Where they would be free from every ones’ acts and do what ever they pleased, for eternity.