Both Romeo and Juliet die at the end of the play. How does Shakespeare prepare the audience for this in Act two, Scene two? Focus on language and stagecraft

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Both Romeo and Juliet die at the end of the play. How does Shakespeare prepare the audience for this in Act two, Scene two? Focus on language and stagecraft.

  Shakespeare prepares the audience for the death of Romeo and Juliet at the end of the play using Act two, Scene two which is a pivotal scene within the play as it examines the blossoming love between Romeo and Juliet. In Act two, Scene one Romeo declares his love through the words:

      “Can I go forward when my heart is here?

       Turn back, dull earth, and find the centre out.”

through which the audience realizes he is in love with Juliet.

   I will analyze the following elements; variety of language chosen by Shakespeare, emphasis on specific language used, stagecraft and lighting that orientate the audience for all that is to come! Romeo and Juliet are lovers yet their families sworn are enemies; Juliet a Capulet and Romeo a Montague. In Act one, Scene five Shakespeare describes the changes in Romeo’s affection from Rosaline, which was unrequited, to the Capulet, Lady Juliet. Their desire for one another can be shared but their names absolutely cannot, since these two names are synonymous with war.

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   Much of the preparation for the death of Romeo and Juliet is observed through language. Many references to heavenly, angelic and Godly images such as; ‘a winged messenger of heaven,’ occur, which set the mind faintly for the concept of death without the person realizing it overtly. Romeo repeatedly calls Juliet a ‘bright angel,’ this suggests that Romeo thinks far more of Juliet than a mere homo-sapien. Angels are generally imagined as special beyond-beings who roam the heavens. Heaven is associated with post-death. Romeo states that Juliet is ‘the Sun,’ and later is ‘glorious to this night,’ which ...

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