Direct Characterization In Romeo And Juliet

A lot of the characters in Shakespeare’s masterpiece, Romeo and Juliet, have many more layers to them then it may seem. There are several literary terms to show the layers that make up the characters. Shakespeare uses juxtaposition, oxymoron, and paradox as indirect characterization to show how complex Romeo, Juliet, and Friar Laurence are as characters. Juliet is young and has deep changing feelings. Many of the feelings she has toward Romeo are confusing ones, “honorable villain,” (3.2.79). This oxymoron shows the passion that Juliet has for Romeo, and that even when Romeo has done something horrible to Juliet or someone else, he is still amazing in her eyes. Her feelings can switch from high to low very quickly. She believes that she needs Romeo, “Come, night; come, Romeo, come; thou day in night,”(3.2.17). She shows desperation by saying this; she knows without a doubt that Romeo is the one for her and she needs him. Juliet’s feelings toward Romeo are deep and forever changing, and she thinks she has it all figured out, when in fact she doesn’t.
He wants to help to make sure that Romeo and Juliet maintain their relationship; “violent delights,”(2.6.9). He is saying that in order to keep the relationship between Romeo and Juliet strong and forever lasting, they will have to go through a lot of problems to achieve happiness. Friar wants to do everything he can to stop the fighting between the families; “In one respect I’ll thy assistant be,”(2.4.90). Friar Laurence cares about Romeo and Juliet and wants to see their relationship prosper, and in order to do that he is trying to end the feud between the