Romeo and Juliet

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Romeo and Juliet

Throughout Romeo and Juliet (written 1597) we see the themes of love, passion and crime intermix to create what is arguably Shakespeare’s most dramatic and heartfelt masterpiece. The plot, a tragic drama in which two passionate “star-crossed lovers” are doomed to misery and eventual death, highlights the harsh times in which Romeo and Juliet lived, and the high expectations and severe discipline of women in the Elizabethan era. The prologue is an insightful glimpse into the later events of the play; “death-mark’d love” and gives the audience a taster of the tragedy that is yet to come. We see more suggestive writing in act 1 scene 5, when an already infatuated Juliet anxious as to Romeo’s marital status states; “My grave is like to be my wedding bed”. This is an extreme and very effective use of dramatic irony, as we know from the beginning of the play that both Juliet and Romeo’s deaths are, though they do not suspect it, imminent. This powerful technique creates great tension and suspense and leaves the audience eagerly anticipating the exciting main event that the striking language subtly prophesies.

Act 1 scene 5 begins in an exciting, atmospheric manner and, through clever use of language and subtle imagery gives the reader an insight into some of the later events of the play. The servants, for example are treated harshly and with obvious disdain suggesting that those of the lower classes were often treated badly by people considered superior. This also gives us our first taste of Capulet’s demanding nature; “more lights you knaves, and turn the tables up”, again creating an exciting, tense feeling of urgency which heightens the pace and shows the audience the character’s need for perfection. This, in conjunction with the repetition; “A hall, a hall!” and emphasis on the use of dramatic punctuation not only invites the audience to be a part of the action, but also teaches them, through Capulet’s volatile manner to fear for Juliet and to anticipate the tragedy that is foretold in the prologue; “death-mark’d love”.

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We see more of Capulet’s antisocial behaviour in lines 16 through 41. “What man? ‘T is not so much”. This simple conversation between Capulet and his cousin highlights Capulet’s almost psychotic need to be right and his argumentative personality, reinforcing the already tense and chaotic atmosphere. Despite his often aggressive behaviour, however, Capulet does seem to be in a somewhat jovial manner as he greets his guests; “You are welcome gentlemen. Come musicians, play!” perhaps reflecting that the character is at his happiest when he is in control of a situation and leading others, again showing his domineering and ...

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