Fletcher Wilson Mrs. Harris English 9-6 3 March 2023 Oxymorons in Romeo and Juliet: Duality in figurative language is an extremely essential tool to authors. Duality is a word most people are familiar with. By definition, duality is an instance of opposition or contrast between two concepts or two aspects of something. In literature, there are many ways of expressing duality. Most commonly found when contrasting two things. Comparing and contrasting two ideas can show duality, in juxtaposition, duality is expressed in how two objects or concepts contrast one another, and finally, oxymorons, which are a figure of speech in which two contrasting words are put right next to each other, show duality in the contrast of the word’s meanings. Furthermore, …show more content…
Shakespeare hid this theme throughout his entire play through the use of figurative language, specifically oxymorons, and the behaviors of different characters. In lines 23-24 in act 2 scene 3 Shakespeare wrote, “Within the infant rind of this small flower/Poison hath residence and medicine power.” When put into words that an average reader can understand, Shakespeare wanted to use this small flower as an example for all of human life. He wanted the reader to contemplate how the flower reflects manhood and how we have good and evil inside each one of us. When he wrote, “Poison hath residence and medicine power”, he elaborated on how the flower can be beautiful and can heal, and yet be deadly and can harm. Later down the line Shakespeare explained even further simply restating what was said in the previous quote. He wrote, “Two such opposed kings encamp them still, /In man as well as herbs- grace and rude will.” He simply restated we can find good and evil qualities in everything on this planet, from simple men all the way down to simple herbs. Lastly, what are some specific examples of these splits and divisions of good vs evil in Romeo and Juliet’s …show more content…
One specific character in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet that has these divisions of good and evil and stands out is Romeo. As Juliet said, “A damned saint, an honorable villain A damned saint, an honorable villain.” (3.2.80), Romeo had this division and when analyzed in detail both sides are shown clearly throughout the play. Looking at specific instances, Shakespeare wrote, “Romeo, the love I bear thee can afford/No better term than this: thou art a villain.” (3.1.56-57). When Tybalt accused Romeo of being a villain, he had good reason too. In the story, Romeo ends up killing Tybalt in a duel. However, killing someone who is soon to be your relative because of your secret marriage may be perceived as villainous. Although he was seeking out revenge for Benvolio, his friend that was just murdered by Tybalt, it does not give Romeo the excuse to go and kill him right after. However, if a man has this evil, killing half inside of him, what is the other half comprised of? In different parts of the play Shakespeare wrote, “Oh, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! / It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night / Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope's ear” … “With love's light wings did I o'erperch these walls / For stony limits cannot hold love out” (1.5.42-44) (2.2.66-67). How does Romeo, such a cold-hearted, revenge-seeking murderer, turn into such a lover and
Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is widely considered to be one of the greatest literary works of all time. For centuries, it has captivated the audience, enchanting them with the good of the love and the bad of the tragedy. It also features powerful, underlying suggestions of the nature of man. Through Friar Lawrence's belief in doing the best, his inconsiderate decisions, and his plans ruined by things out of his control, Shakespeare suggests that man always thinks he is doing good, but whether he is doing good depends on outside forces and individuals. Friar Lawrence constantly demonstrates his belief in doing the best from his point of view.
1 Clayton 1Jair Clayton April 21st, 2018Shakespeare Analysis The tragedy of Romeo and Juliet conveys a riveting narration of two young crossed lovers whose lives sadly end after a series of drama and grievous romances due to a sharp hatred from each lovers parent. Each character in the play captures a vital role in building the theme of conflicted love and hatred surrounding the main focuses of the plot Romeo and Juliet. Tybalt secondary to the main characters in the play influences has a major influence on the theme and plot of the play as his sheer aggressive attitude and bold daring personality displays him as reckless and impulsive. Tybalt ignited the flame that leads to his own death, Romeo's banishmentand ultimate death of both Romeo and
In the tragedy Romeo and Juliet, the cast of characters have a variety of individual personalities. One of the main characters, Romeo, is characterized by his impulsiveness and unwavering loyalty. Romeo is depicted as impulsive throughout the play, leading to many unfavorable outcomes. This is first demonstrated when Tybalt tries to pick a fight with Romeo, but he rejects it. Tybalt then starts a fight with Mercutio, resulting in Mercutio's death, which provokes Romeo to take revenge by killing Tybalt.
In William Shakespeare's play, The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, the concept of good and evil is explored through the characters and their actions. However, upon closer examination, it becomes apparent that nothing is inherently good or evil, but rather it is the perception and context in which it is viewed that determines its moral value. This idea is highlighted through various quotes throughout the play. One example of this is when Friar Laurence says, "Virtue itself turns vice, being misapplied, / And vice sometime by action dignified" (2.3.21-22). Here, the Friar is suggesting that even the most virtuous of actions can become sinful when carried out in the wrong context.
Sometimes, thy greatest adversary and the cause of thy beating can be thyself. When someone has a character for being a jerk, those same conduct will come back to get thy, maybe worse than the anterior problems that they created, or even kill them. William Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet, a play of doomed love, illustrates the dangers of pride and seeking revenge. At the beginning of the story, readers are introduced to an ancient feud between the Capulet and Montague families through a brawl caused by the servants of each family. A tragic love story where the two main characters are from opposite families and are supposed to be sworn enemies, but they fall in love.
Despite the families attempts at trying to break two young lovers apart, they still try to reconcile the families together. In the story of “Romeo and Juliet", written by William Shakespeare, 2 families with a long lasting feud ultimately affect “Romeo and Juliet”, which leads to their tragic deaths. In William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”, Shakespeare uses oxymorons to further develop the story and better develop the theme. An example of this technique being used is when we see words such as "loving hate” and “cold fire” can help develop the story by further highlighting the intense and conflicting emotions experienced by the characters in this story. "O serpant heart, hid with a flowering face, Did ever dragon keep so far a cave”, “Beautiful Tyrant, Fiend Angelical” The quote above, spoken by Juliet refers to Romeo as “Beautiful Tyrant" and "Fiend Angelical.
In the play of “The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare there are two star-crossed lovers, their names are Romeo and Juliet. The two of them go through many obstacles and hardships just to meet with one another. However, the rivalry between the Montagues and Capulets get in the way of their love. The author uses descriptive writing to portray the love between Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare uses literary devices, such as the metaphor, personification, oxymoron, and apostrophe, to show the lengths Romeo and Juliet would go to for each other’s love.
People like Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet, who hated multiple people, ended up with very bad consequences in the end. William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet develops the idea that hatred leads to destruction through situations involving Romeo and the Capulet family. Initially, Shakespeare shows the destructiveness of hatred through instances involving Tybalt with Mercutio and Romeo. First, Tybalt and Mercutio show destruction caused by hate.
Duality and symbolism are two technical elements that writers and authors use in their writing. Duality means having two parts, characters, or setting with opposite meanings or characteristics. Symbolism is when an object or character is represented by an object. William Golding depicts the characters, setting, and plot in the novel while including these elements. In Lord of the Flies, Golding uses duality and symbolism to illustrate that with the absence of civilization, an individual may result to savagery.
Now, Tybalt, take the ‘villain’ back again that late thou gavest me.” This symbolizes Romeo killing the “villain” of hate (hate for the opposing family). Romeo’s intentions were virtuous as he thought he needed to break up the fight to keep the peace. However, it only increased tension between the Capulets and Montagues. The Capulets were enraged by Tybalt’s death as it got in the way of the wedding.
In the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, he tells the story of two people who fall in love, Romeo, a Montague, and Juliet, a Capulet. Their families have been feuding for as long as they can remember, making their love for one another very dangerous. The two go to extreme lengths to be with each other, but this eventually results in both of them losing their lives. Throughout this story, Shakespeare conveys through his use of syntax and diction with wrathful tone that hatred can make people act irrationally loyal, and this hatred can cloud one’s morals. We first see Shakespeare demonstrate the dangers that come from fighting without proper reason in the very beginning between the characters Tybalt and Benvolio.
Duality as a concept is an interesting one. It is one that many an artist has focused on through character foils, juxtaposition, and parallels to name a few. Duality can be shown in a mood change from one scene to the next, in a gleeful person inside a dull, depressing setting and more. When used correctly, it’s powerful to say the least. In The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Shakespeare makes a point of twisting his characters and their words/actions to fit those of people in real life.
As Susan Cain once said, “All personality traits have their good and bad sides.” This idea is seen in Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. What Cain says about having good and bad sides is portrayed by a cousin who is loyal and vengeful, a friend who is peaceful and naive, and an acquaintance friend who is sarcastic and wise. Therefore, Shakespeare creates multidimensional characters that have both strengths and weaknesses.
Duality is an instance of opposition or contrast between two concepts or two aspects of something. The author, Charles Dickens, uses duality throughout the fictional novel, A Tale of Two Cities, to bring characters who would be thought of as polar opposites together. Dickens begins the novel by says, "it was the best of times, it was the worst of times"(3). The author begins the book with the quote to show the duality straight away because best and worst are opposite of eachother. Such as when the discovery of the main characters in England and France are all somehow tied together.
Shakespeare displays that good and evil depends on your frame of reference, when Romeo killed himself he viewed this as a good intention, Juliet saw his objective as a good one, Friar Lawrence saw Romeo’s purpose as a bad one. When Romeo kills himself it was a good or