Shakespeare brings out comparisons by showing the differences in Romeo and Juliet’s behave, in the way they react towards other characters and their use of language. For example when Romeo enters to seek advice from Friar Lawrence his behaviour is very irrational and he is very melodramatic and full of self-pity. “What sorrow craves acquaintance” Romeo acts hysterically and does not try to resolve the problem but wallows in his sself-pity “Ha, banishment? Be merciful, say death” Friar Lawrence is not impressed by Romeo’s childish behaviour. On the other hand Juliet is calm and generally relaxed and organized. Juliet is very mature for her age. ‘Tell me not, friar, that thou hear'st of this, unless thou tell me how I may prevent it’. Juliet is not hysterical; she is trying to find a way to solve her crisis.
When Friar Lawrence is trying to give Romeo advice he does not listen, is very negative, pessimistic and will not see sense. He is also ignorant towards Friar Lawrence. When the friar is giving him advice he says “it helps not, it prevails not; talk no more” This is very ignorant and ungrateful. When Friar Lawrence points out that Romeo is lucky to be alive because he really should have been executed, he disregards this fact. All Romeo can think of is the fact that he may not see Juliet again.
When Juliet is listening to Friar Lawrence’s advice she takes it in, she is calm and collected. Juliet is willing to try any thing to resolve her problem. Instead of crying she is very sensible and looks for solutions to her problems. “If, in thy wisdom, thou canst give no help”. She realises that the Friar is only there to help and uses his advice.
Both Romeo and Juliet speak of committing suicide. Romeo says “Thou cut’st my head off with a golden axe”. When Romeo makes such remarks Friar Lawrence
Takes notice because he knows how upset and idiotic Romeo is. Juliet also talks about ending her life “ And with this knife I’ll help it presently” Friar Lawrence does not take any notice because he knows that Juliet is sensible.
The difference in behaviour between Romeo and Juliet is very evident. While Romeo rolls around on the ground the nurse shouts “ Stand up, stand up, stand and you be a man” The fact that a female is saying this emphasizes Romeo’s weakness. In those days women were regarded as weaker than men. Juliet is very brave and listens carefully. The juxtaposition of these two scenes emphasises the maturity of Juliet compared to how most other women would react.
Shakespeare uses many dramatic devices, in both scenes the dramatic device is a knife. When Romeo grabs the knife and threatens to take his own life he is overpowered by the nurse. “ That I may sack the hateful mansion”. The fact that again a female snatches the dagger away from him further emphasises how weak Romeo is. The nurse knew how distraught he was and that Romeo was spontaneous. When Juliet threatens the same thing the threat is not imminent and the Friar knows that Juliet is controlled.
Shakespeare uses imagery to get across strong feelings such as “Like powder in a skilless soldiers flask, is set afire by thine own ignorance”. This gets Friar Lawrence’s point across clearly. Shakespeare also uses imagery with Romeo to put across his negative feelings; he uses images of death “Poison mixed” and “kill me”. These quotes show how cowardly and selfish Romeo is and that he does not think of others but only himself, he does not think of the consequences of his actions. Imagery is also used in Juliet’s speech. “Or hide me nightly in a charnel-house” This shows the lengths that she will go to avoid marrying Paris. This also shows how audacious and courageous she is. Taking a potion despite knowing the dangers takes a lot of inner strength.
Shakespeare uses other characters to create drama, for instance in act 4 scene 1 Paris is in the Friars cell which adds a sense of urgency in the scene and gives you insight to how bright Juliet is when she uses double meanings. ‘That may be, sir, when I may be a wife’. The nurse is mainly used to show how weak Romeo is.
The vocabulary used is very powerful and dramatic in these scenes, for instance “O’er cover’d quite with dead men’s rattling bones”. This leaves a strong image in the audience’s mind. A lot of Romeo’s words are dramatic also, because he is so emotional. “For exile hath more terror in his look”. This quote is also personification.
Shakespeare uses various techniques to bring out the comparisons between Romeo and Juliet such as use of dramatic devices, different use of language, difference in behaviour and how each individual character responds to advice. He does this well and has made it easy to see the differences in their characters.
