In the play as Romeo did Juliet contrasts with herself as she matures as time goes on. At the beginning of the pay Juliet is very shy and quiet. When conversing with other characters she seems to always say as little as she can without being rude. As the play continues Juliet becomes more confident and mature. “Proud I can never be of what I hate” is a line from act three scene five when Juliet is arguing with her father over the proposed marriage of her and Paris. In earlier scenes Juliet would never of argued with her father, which shows how much more confidence she has.
There are many other character contrasts in Romeo and Juliet for example the nurse and Juliet. The nurse is a very loud and confident character that never stops talking and thinking about sex. She tends to always tell jokes about sex to Juliet.” Thou wilt fall backward when thou hast more wit”.
Juliet however is the complete opposite of the nurse. She is very quiet and shy, and doesn’t seem to want anything to do with sex.
Another character with the same attitude as the nurse is Mercutio, who is the opposite of Romeo in every way. Mercutio’s concept on love is all to do with sex. He is also a very violent character who will always fight when the opportunity occurs. He also hates the Capulets. Romeo contrasts with this a lot. He believes in true love and being romantic. He is also fairly quiet and shy and will try to back out of a fight if he can.
Another of the many contrasts in Romeo and Juliet is that between Romeo and Tybalt. Tybalt is very similar to Mercutio in the way he is very violent and loves to fight. He will also fight whenever the opportunity occurs. He also has a deep hatred for the Montague’s. Romeo contrasts with this, as he is quiet and doesn’t usually fight. He also doesn’t have a deep hatred for the Capulets and is actually related to them.
Romeo and Juliet as well as forming contrasts with themselves also contrast with each other. At the start of the play Romeo is so caught up in love with Juliet that he over looks the dangers that loving Juliet hold. “With loves light wings I did operch these walls”. When Juliet is being very sensible about the situation tells Romeo he will be killed if anyone finds him he says “I have nights cloak to hide me from their eyes” which shows how un-realistic Romeo is being. How ever towards the end of the play when Romeo and Juliet spend there last night together Romeo is the more sensible of the two, whereas Juliet is not being realistic.
“Wilt thou be gone? It is not yet near day” yet Romeo answers “I must be gone and live, or stay and die”
Romeo and Juliet’s view on love is very different then that of the older generation. Juliet’s parents believe that arranged marriages could become true love whereas Romeo and Juliet believe in pure love, true love.
There are many contrasts in Romeo and Juliet besides the view of old and young characters. There is not only romantic love in the lay like that of Romeo and Juliet but there is also family love. All the fighting between the montages and Capulets is because of how strong the love is inside the family. This explains Romeos words “Heres much to do with hate, but more with love”.
Romeo had the love of his family and his friends to get over Rosalyn. Another type of love in Romeo and Juliet is unrequited which Romeo experienced at the beginning of the play.
Romeo and Juliet’s love stands out from all of these kinds of loves because their love is not corrupt. All of the other kinds of love have led to something bad whereas Romeos and Juliet’s love seems so pure and perfect. This in its self is a contrast. In a normal structure of a romantic play the happiness occurs at the end. When Romeo and Juliet get married in the middle of the play you suspect something bad has to happen. The way, which the play is set out, is very different to what you would expect.
There is a great deal of mixture in the emotions Shakespeare uses in the scenes. For example a fighting scene may follow a comedic scene, or a fighting scene followed by a romantic scene. In one scene Juliet who is waiting for Romeo says “come night, come Romeo, come day in night”. This shows night is what Juliet wants, whereas usually night is associated with darkness and evil, however here it is something that is wanted. This shows that Romeo and Juliet’s love is not as perfect as people suspect. This contrasts with the audience’s expectations.
When Juliet finds out that Romeo has killed tybalt she describes Romeo as a “damned saint” and a “honourable villain”. She says that Romeo is like a book with a beautiful cover but its insides are filled with “vile matter”. Her use of paradox’s show that she is upset and hurt by what Romeo has done, yet she is still madly in love with him.
Without all of the contrast in Romeo and Juliet it wouldn’t be so famous. It would also be like most other romantic plays. The way in which Shakespeare uses contrasts is very subtle and creates a good effect. It contrasts the audience’s expectations as well as being exciting and unpredictable.
