How does Shakespeare create an impact on the audience in Romeo and Juliet? Is the play relevant to the 21st Century?
How does Shakespeare create an impact on the audience in Romeo and Juliet? Is the play relevant to the 21st Century? Romeo and Juliet, the very title builds up a mental picture of a beautiful young girl on a balcony, with a young man reaching lovingly up towards her. The two names suggest a young couple, head over heels in love, who are destroyed by the implacable hatred of their families. Shakespeare's play is largely responsible for how these familiar images have become part of popular imagination worldwide, symbolising romantic love and doomed lovers and in this essay I am going to explain that Romeo and Juliet is far richer and more complex than such images suggest. I will describe how Shakespeare's language creates an impact on the audience by concentrating on one particular scene from the play. I will also write about why people still stage the play many times over and over again and why the play is still relevant to the 21st century. Shakespeare tightens dramatic tension as he fills the play with opposition: Montagues versus Capulets, love versus hate, life versus death and youth versus age. Shakespeare's play is not only about love, it also shows his love of language. What follows are some of the language techniques he use in Romeo and Juliet to intensify dramatic effect, create mood and character. The scene I have chose to describe Shakespeare's language and how it
Romeo + Juliet Review
'Just what we need' Shakespeare's language has baffled us enough. At last Baz Lurmann has arrived to put an end to our headache with his modernised interpretation of the great love story, "Romeo and Juliet". The movie is based on the original masterpiece by the William Shakespeare between the late sixteenth and the early seventeenth century. The story's location is set in 'fair Verona' where 'a pair of star crossed lovers' Romeo (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Juliet (Claire Danes), fall in love however they are restricted from each other's presence on the count of an 'ancient' feud between both families, the Capulets and the Montagues. Romeo attends a special gathering hosted by the Capulets in order to forget about his lost love Rosaline, ironically he meets Juliet and ends up giving his heart to her. Love at first sight - what a surprise. Most people would find that over time, in this instance four centuries, the average lifestyle tends to differ slightly, in similar fashion the people of this day and age (particularly the younger generations) do not seem to grasp an understanding of Shakespearean culture. Enter Baz Lurmann's master plan. The idea consists of the simple conception that if the audience has evolved the story should require a similar adjustment. Lurmann uses the same Shakespearean language but with a dramatically modernised setting. He evidently felt that this
How does this section of Romeo and Juliet reflect upon and illuminate the text?
ENGLISH COURSEWORK ESSAY (ROMEO & JULIET) How does this section of Romeo and Juliet reflect upon and illuminate the text? The characters are utilised by Shakespeare to highlight a sense of loss and desperation. The "Captain" who is a neutral figure, expresses a sense of remorse and sadness when he sees Romeo and Juliet's dead bodies as a "pitiful site", also illuminating a sense of universal suffering. Juliet's "newly dead" body is used so that the agony and pain of her death is felt again universally. Romeo and Juliet are described as "piteous woes" which portrays them as one and as abstractions of sadness which emphasises the loss and despair of a romantic pair. The words "trembles, sighs and weeps" are listed characteristics of suffering used to highlight a sense of loss and nervousness. The shock and astonishment of Romeo and Juliet's death is highlighted by the repetition of "dead" showing how unexpected this tragedy really was. Tybalt's death is exaggerated when Romeo and Juliet's marriage day is described as "Tybalt's doomesday" increasing the magnitude of desperation and sadness. Shakespeare illuminates a paradox of joy and sadness between "Tybalt's untimely death" and the "new-made bride groom" creating a contrast of joy and misery. There is a cruel irony when Juliet's "borrowed grave" became her actual death bed. When this great tragedy was described as an
"Romeo and Juliet" - the theme of fate and destiny.
Romeo And Juliet By Michaela Glynn Shakespeare's most famous tragedy is probably the tale of "Romeo and Juliet". The immortal tale of two 'star-cross'd lovers' destined to an early demise, originated in Italian folklore. Shakespeare's prologue is possibly the most insightful piece of the play regarding their death and the explanation of it. The "ancient grudge" immediately sets the ominous tone of the play. This allows the audience to understand that their "death" is the only way their "parents strife" could end: "But their children end nought could remove". The recurring theme of fate and destiny, which frequents many Shakespeare's plays, is seen also in the prologue. Shakespeare introduces Romeo and Juliet through the prologue as "star cross'd lovers" implying they are ill fated. The description of their love as "death marked" assures the reader of the plays tragic genre and the inevitability of their deaths. The prologue informs the audience of the "ancient grudge" between the Montague's and Capulet's and prepares them for the eventual bloodshed. Although we never learn why there was a "grudge" it seemed to have become a habit for the families to hate one another. Romeo and Juliet suppress their love in order to keep it from their families, this is all due to the 'ancient grudge'. Shakespeare suggests that without the feud, Romeo and Juliet would not have had such
Romeo and Juliet - Shakespeare creates in his two lead characters, not merely a love based on physical attraction, but, as his choice of language shows, a meeting of minds and souls. Discuss the dramatic effect of this in your choice of key scenes.
Romeo and Juliet In the play, Shakespeare creates in his two lead characters, not merely a love based on physical attraction, but, as his choice of language shows, a meeting of minds and souls. Discuss the dramatic effect of this in your choice of key scenes. The play "Romeo and Juliet" was written in the 16th century. It expresses how two "star cross'd lovers" show that their love is merely more than just a physical relationship, as suggested in the spoken language they are "made in heaven" a union? The lovers, Romeo, a Montague and Juliet a Capulet come from "two house holds both alike in dignity" who are powerful feuding families. Both Romeo and Juliet are powerful characters. We first sense Romeo's compelling frustration when Shakespeare uses oxymoron "O brawling love! O loving hate!" this implies that love is a scrap and you are desperately trying to fight against it. The loving hate means that you don't want to fall in love but you cant help it. We discover Juliet's quick wit early in the play. "It is an honour that I dream not of." This conveys that Juliet knows exactly what she wants and she will not let anybody influence those ideas. Juliet also shows how she can sophistically answer people in a polite manor and not in the typical teenage language. The quote "For saints have hand that pilgrims hands do touch," suggests that the language rapidly
What a Day!
What a Day! This morning once again I found myself thinking about Rosaline but later today I met the most beautiful girl I have ever seen which made me forget my love for Rosaline, her name went by Juliet. As soon as I saw her I knew we were meant to be. All I can say is thank you to Peter and thank God he was blind as I would have never have received all of those invites and I would have never met my darling Juliet. It was a bit demanding and sneaky of me but I saved him a journey! When we arrived at the manor, I felt slightly un-easy, as this was not meant to be. We did not belong here so part of me felt excited to be attempting coming into such a place of such elegance but the other felt worried in the case of being caught. There in front of me were a sea of masks not recognising any in particular I carried on in. The masks and costumes made it hard for me to locate Rosaline so I took a walk in which I met this saint, I had never seen some one so beautiful since tonight. From then on I was totally bewildered and couldn't set my eyes off of her. The good thing was she didn't look away from me either, in which we had mutual feelings. I couldn't be happier. My heart was in fits, beating faster and faster causing lack of air to my lungs, she was amazing I had to see her again... It was strange, all those feelings I had felt this morning for Rosaline gone with in seconds
Romeo and Juliet: Give Me Love or Give Me Death
Bess Glanton Mrs. Brown 9th Grade Pre AP English 6 November 2008 Give Me Love or Give Me Death Shakespeare's, Romeo and Juliet, is the tragedy of "two foes/ a pair of star-crossed lovers take their life" (Pro.). Many interesting and unique characters interact throughout the play. Every character from the Nurse, who has a small role, to Romeo, who obviously is a main character, impacts the plot, and Whiten agrees, "Romeo and Juliet is the best example of Shakespeare's ability to create unforgettable characters" (61). Romeo and Juliet make mistakes throughout the six days that make up the play, but it is their imperfections that make them unforgettable. Romeo is the most memorable of all the characters. At first, the reader might admire him for his passion and zest for life. However, as the play unfolds, Romeo proves to be dangerously impulsive, and this flaw in his personality brings about the tragic ending. Romeo acts impulsively throughout act one which takes place at the Capulet's party. The entire day Romeo is gloomy and sad about his unrequited love for Rosaline. He conveys his heavy heart saying, "I have a soul of lead/ so stakes me to the ground I cannot move" (1.4 15-16). However, not even an hour later, Romeo has lost all interest in Rosaline and is mesmerized by the Capulet's only heir, Juliet. Romeo compares her beauty to a holy shrine only after
At the beginning of the play, Romeo is infatuated by Rosaline. His love for Juliet is very different. How does Shakespeare use language and dramatic devices to show Romeo's development?
At the beginning of the play, Romeo is infatuated by Rosaline. His love for Juliet is very different. How does Shakespeare use language and dramatic devices to show Romeo's development? Introduction Shakespeare's play 'Romeo and Juliet' is known as a love tragedy and features many rhymed verses, especially when Romeo and Juliet first speak. The plot is based on a true story, and takes place over three days. The play is about two teenagers, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet, who fall deeply in love but their families are in constant dispute. The play ends in tragedy when Romeo and Juliet give their lives for one another. The essay will be exploring how the use of language and dramatic devices convey Romeo's development in attitudes concerning love. Act 1 Scene 1 When we are first introduced to Romeo, we find that he is deliberately isolating himself from the outside world. His father Montague defines him as disturbed by something that he knows nothing of, this is illustrated by, "I neither know it, nor can learn of it" (Act 1 Scene 1, Line 143) This quotation proves that Romeo is being secretive about his troubles, therefore placing difficulty in identifying them. He is in this state because of he is infatuated with Rosaline (a relative of the Capulet's) but she will not return his affections as she has sworn to stay chaste. This is illustrated by, "She'll not be
On The Nature Of Tragedy - Romeo and Juliet.
On The Nature Of Tragedy Throughout the whole article, the author seems trying to explain and differentiate pathetic and tragedy for us. However, I myself still don't really know the difference between them. What I only know from the article is that tragedy does not only bring us sadness but also teach us valuable lessons that derive from our society. I found out that it is much easier to differentiate pathetic and tragedy from Shakespeare's plays. For example, the famous tragedies Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet...etc they had "accurately balanced portrayal of the human being in the struggle for happiness", they brought us knowledge and enlightenment. These are all the factors of tragedies, which pathos do not own. However, it is hard, and sometimes impossible to distinguish tragedy and pathetic from our modern literature. From the books I've read, I can hardly tell were they tragedy or just pathetic. I could not always learn things from these "modern tragedies", they've only brought sadness, sympathy, and sometimes regret to me. What made the difference, and why we can hardly find good tragedies today? Somebody may think the ancient tragedies exaggerated too much, they were not portraying the real world but overstating things happened. For my opinion, our life is a play, there are tragedies and comedies within it, but when sad things come, why it is not as tragic as the play
A comparison between Helen's character from 'Dear Nobody' written by Berlie Doherty with Juliet's character from 'Romeo and Juliet' written by William Shakespeare
A comparison between Helen's character from 'Dear Nobody' written by Berlie Doherty with Juliet's character from 'Romeo and Juliet' written by William Shakespeare The main character in 'Dear Nobody' - Helen - fell in love with a boy called Chris. There relationship is long standing it was strong and they were very much in love with each other. They came to a moment were they both felt that they were ready to make love. Neither of them thought about what would happen after they had made love. They went ahead with it because both Helen and Chris were in love. The character in 'Romeo and Juliet' - Juliet - a Capulet fell in love with Romeo, a Montague. Both families disliked each other besides the feuds between both of the families Romeo and Juliet were too much in love to forget about each other. Both of the stories are about young love in particular and the decisions surrounding the emotion. Helen In the play 'Dear Nobody' Helen became pregnant with Chris' baby. Helen went to an abortion clinic because when Helen told her mother she wanted Helen to go ahead and have an abortion. When Helen went to the abortion clinic she ran out of there because she wanted to keep the baby. Helen had to make a big decision as to whether she wanted the baby or was she going to go University and do her A-levels. My opinion of the character Helen from the play 'Dear Nobody' is that she
