Comment on how Romeo Essay

Comment on how Romeo and Juliet use language to communicate their feelings about love until Act II, scene ii of the play. ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is the tragic story of two lovers separated by their feuding families. The origins of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ originate before Shakespeare and so the story has been made familiar to audiences and readers of previous generations. Many historians believe he got his inspiration from literature dating back to the sixteenth century such as the poem by Arthur Brooke called ‘The Tragicall Historye Of Romeus and Iuliet’, written in 1562. Shakespeare adapted this story in order for it to appeal to the Elizabethan audience. The male protagonist of the play is Romeo Montague. He is approximately seventeen or eighteen years old. Romeo is a stereotypical adolescent boy, who emotions are fickle and based on lust. He constantly spends time thinking about love and his desire to be in love. He is spurned by the lady he adores Rosaline. Romeo follows the conventions of ‘courtly love’ with diligence. In contrast the female protagonist Juliet Capulet is of a younger age; barely into her teenage years. Juliet is the opposite to Romeo as she is not stereotypical. Juliet does not comprehend or desire marriage, which is unusual of a girl her age. However, it is surprising Juliet breaches the rules of ‘courtly love’ by accepting the proposal of marriage as soon as Romeo enquired Juliet. Juliet also defies the convention by not marrying a man of her father’s choosing. Despite the Capulets and Montagues long standing hatred for each other, fate coincidently brings Romeo and Juliet together. The play ends with tragic consequences as a result from the families hatred. Romeo and Juliet both sacrifice themselves for the power of love. Shakespeare uses numerous dramatic devices and language techniques to explore and convey Romeo and Juliet’s emotions. Act I, scene i takes place after a riot between the Montagues and Capulets. Despite the uproar Romeo decides to take no participation in this argument as he is so infatuated by his desire for Rosaline. Benvolio says â€Å"Good morrow, cousin†. Romeo replies â€Å"Is the day so young† indicating that he is so wrapped up in his own emotions that he is surprised it is still morning. This is typical of courtly love. Benvolio informs Romeo that it has only just struck the hour of nine. â€Å"Aye me! Sad hours seem long† Romeo personifies time to portray the grief he endures. â€Å"Not having that, which, having, makes them short† Romeo indicates that time passes quickly with Rosaline but time drags on without her. Romeo also says; â€Å"Out of favour, where I am in love,† This shows that the feeling is not mutual therefore it can not be true love. Romeo also says; â€Å"Alas, that love, whose view is muffled still, should, without eyes, see pathways to his will! † Romeo implies love is cupid and although he is blindfolded he still makes people fall in love. He believes love is inevitable. Romeo enquires about the dispute but he quickly switches back to talking about love that he yearns for, when he says â€Å"Yet tell me not, for I have heard it all. † Romeo is talking about fighting in general and not he has heard about the fight that has just taken place. He completely does not care about it and he is disloyal to his family. â€Å"Here’s much to do with hate, but more with love. † He believes no matter how much people talk about hate, love is far more interesting as Romeo implies. Romeo’s infatuation with lust is reflected in his over elaborate use of language. â€Å"Well, in that you miss: she’ll not be hit With Cupid’s arrow; she hath Dian’s wit; nd, in string proof of chastity well arm’d, from love’s weak childish bow she lives unharm’d. she will not stay the siege of loving terms,† Romeo here portrays lust that he wants from Rosaline. He describes virginity like a fortress which needs to be conquered . Romeo is also critical of her virginity. Romeo is continuously using paradoxes to describe love. Romeo demonstrates a young man who does not actually feel genuine love as he describes it as love and hate when he says â€Å"O brawling love! O loving hate! † â€Å"O heavy lightness! Serious vanity! Mis-sharpen chaos of well-seeming forms! Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, Sick health! † Conveying emotions of love which Romeo is experiencing, which is in such a mixed up way that it is not enjoyable but painful. Romeo says; â€Å"Tis the way To call hers exquisite, in question more:† Romeo has a fickle nature and he believes that looking at others would only make her more beautiful. Romeo implies that speaking of his lady would make him ‘groan’. Romeo emphasizes the pain he endures by referring love of love to be a sickness and of dying by saying; â€Å"Bid a sick man in sadness make his wil† Romeo ends with â€Å"farewell: thou canst not teach me to forget. † Romeo shows that he can not forget about his love and one can teach him to forget about his love. Juliet Capulet is a young girl living in the town of Verona. Juliet is probably around the age of fourteen or fifteen years of age. Ladies in Verona, by the ages of Juliet were often married and settled down with children. Juliet being the daughter of wealthy Capulet is no exception to this and is expected to marry. Juliet has hardly reached womanhood when she is expected to make a life changing decision Act I scene iii takes place in a room in the Capulets mansion. Lady Capulet breaks the news to Juliet about the idea of marriage. Lady Capulet says, â€Å"Marry, that ‘marry’ is the very theme I came to talk of†. Juliet replies â€Å"it is a n honour that I dream of not† as she is very shocked by the idea as she still thinks she is too young. She is innocent and nai ve. Lady Capulet says to Juliet; â€Å"Here in Verona, ladies of esteem, are made already mothers; by my count† Lady Capulet is suggesting Juliet is being left behind as most ladies are married by now. Lady Capulet also uses persuasive adjectives like â€Å"valiant† to advertise Paris as being perfect and encourage her daughter to marry him. The nurse of Juliet also emphasizes Paris being perfect â€Å"He’s a man of wax† Juliet hardly shows much emotion about married. Juliet says; â€Å"I’ll look to like, if looking liking move: But no more deep will I endart mine eye Than your consent gives me strength to make it fly† Juliet shows here she will happily make the acquaintance of Paris only to please her mother, but Juliet is promising nothing. Juliet is not really bothered about meeting Paris as she does not desire married and partnership. Juliet and Romeo meet each other in the Capulets mansion where a party was taking place. Towards the end of act II, scene ii Romeo and Juliet use extended images of falcony to demonstrate their reluctance to separate until the following morning. Juliet confides in Romeo by using a metaphor; â€Å"O for a falconer’s voice, To lure thus tassel-gentle back again† Juliet wishes to capture Romeo, like a bird, so that she can lure him back to her whenever she wants. Romeo extends the metaphor by referring to Juliet as â€Å"My Niese†. Romeo is implying Juliet as being a hawk, this is important as it reminds the audience of Juliet’s age and her innocence. Juliet is very protective and shows this by using a simile; â€Å"I would have thee gone; And yet no farther than a wanton’s bird; That lets it hop a little from her hand, Like a prisoner in his twisted gives, And with a silken thread plucks it back again, So loving-jealous of his liberty† Juliet desires to imprison Romeo like a bird. Juliet uses a oxymoron to highlight her contrasting feelings; half of her wants to set Romeo free as if he remains he will get into danger but Juliet is selfish and wants Romeo to stay for her own benefit. Romeo and Juliet uses extended images of sea voyages and adventure to communicate their love for each other. Romeo uses a metaphor to show Juliet how much he loves her and how important she is to him. â€Å"As that vast shore wash’d with the farthest sea, I would adventure for such merchandise. † Romeo relates to Juliet being merchandise, which he is prepared to travel the furthest sea to gain such a priceless treasure. Juliet uses an extended simile later on in the play to re-emphasize Romeo’s feelings. â€Å"My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep, the more I give to thee. † Juliet’s love is as endless like the sea. Both Juliet and Romeo worship each other and are prepared to do anything, just to get what they want. Juliet also has ‘bounty’, the willingness to give her love to Romeo. Romeo and Juliet use extended images of angels and heaven to express how heavenly their love and desire is for one another. Romeo expresses his feelings about Juliet in his soliloquy at the beginning of the scene; â€Å"Her eyes in heaven Would through the airy region stream so bright That birds would sing and think it were not night. † Romeo is saying that Juliet has the power over nature, she is as bright as the sun, her beauty is so extreme she can make the birds sing. Romeo extends the idea of cosmic image; â€Å"O speak again, bright angel† Romeo refers as Juliet being an angel as there is nothing more perfect as angels , more beautiful than any mortal could wish to be. Juliet impresses Romeo so much that he can not believe she is human. â€Å"For thou art As glorious to this night, being o’er my head, As is a winger messenger of heaven† Romeo expresses Juliet to have angel-like qualities, she is immortal, a perfect goddess. Romeo uses sibilance and a simile to make Juliet’s voice sound like beautiful music to one’s ears; â€Å"Like softest music to attending ears! † In the beginning Romeo is represented as a typical young man. His language is completed with drama and emotions. Juliet is opposite, her language is straightforward and shows her disinterest in marriage and love. Juliet experiences the most dramatic change in the play after meeting and falling in love with Romeo in act II, scene ii. Juliet displays a newly sexually awaken young woman. Her language is altered to display a likeness of Romeo’s language which is constantly uses hyperboles and imagery to portray her intense emotions. Romeo is less of a dramatic change as he still remains a passionate young man. His feelings are more genuine love rather than lust. Romeo’s feelings are intensified by reciprocate love. Romeo also uses imagery to show intense feelings and the endeavour to commit to Juliet. Throughout the play Shakespeare uses numerous language techniques to convey emotions and to show true passion between two teenagers. The play demonstrates to what extent people are prepared to do for the power of love. Tragic consequences at the end of the play lead to sad emotions which heightens the audience. ‘Romeo and Juliet’, a tragic story that teaches people the true meaning of love.