Examples Of Juxtaposition In Romeo And Juliet
A character can be indirectly defined by terms of contrast through speech and effect on others. Juxtaposition can provide an example of the character’s personality and show how the character progresses throughout the span of the display. The intelligence level of an individual can be determined by his or her use of terms of contrast. Authors use juxtaposition to indirectly characterize a character in their works, just like Shakespeare does in his popular play, Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare uses juxtaposition to create indirect characterization of the characters in Romeo and Juliet by giving them more complex characters.
Romeo appears as a love-sick, passionate, and immature character because of Shakespeare’s repeated use of terms of contrast
in his speech. In act one, scene one, Romeo, as a naive, inexperienced young man, speaks of his love for Rosalind: “O brawling love! O loving hate! / O heavy lightness!” (1.1.169-171). He does not realize that what he is describing is the feeling of heartbreak, not love. The act simply shows that he has yet to grow up and much to learn about love. Later in the play, when Romeo is bewitched by Juliet, he uses juxtaposition to compare her to the moon. Romeo describes his love for Juliet as the light that is taking over his world: “It is the East and Juliet is the sun,” (2.2.3). Shakespeare uses juxtaposition to show how Romeo’s character has grown from the beginning of the play. Terms of contrast assist in developing a more complex character.
Friar Laurence is proven to be a wise man; however, the use of juxtaposition makes him appear as a follower and easy to sway. When he says, “These violent delights have violent ends,” he is trying to warn Romeo of what could happen (2.6.9). Shakespeare shows Friar Laurence as a man who is not forward with his words, but rather, gives hints to people. The Friar offers one piece of advice before completely agreeing to Romeo’s request: “Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow” (2.6.15). Friar Laurence does not attempt to sway Romeo and goes along with the plan, but not without one last chance. Shakespeare demonstrates how a wise character can be forced into agreeing to something through juxtaposition.
Terms of contrast show how Juliet changes from an excited, impatient girl to a broken-hearted, deceived maiden. When Juliet is waiting for Romeo to arrive, she says, “And learn me how to lose a winning match” (3.2.12). She is characterized as a girl who cannot wait for her virginity to be taken. After she hears the dreadful news, however, she says, “Beautiful tyrant; Field angelical / Dove-feathered raven; Wolvish-ravening lamb / Despised substance of divinest snow / A damned saint, an honorable villain” (3.2.75-78). Her words show that she no longer believes Romeo a good-guy, and is rethinking her decision. Her sudden change in character is proven by terms of contrast.
Complex characters result in the constant use of juxtaposition in speech. Three of the characters that Shakespeare used to demonstrate a change in character are Romeo, Friar Laurence, and Juliet. Each of them had used various forms of juxtaposition to compare their personalities from the beginning to the end of the play. Terms of contrast help form the indirect characterization of a character.
Romeo appears as a love-sick, passionate, and immature character because of Shakespeare’s repeated use of terms of contrast
in his speech. In act one, scene one, Romeo, as a naive, inexperienced young man, speaks of his love for Rosalind: “O brawling love! O loving hate! / O heavy lightness!” (1.1.169-171). He does not realize that what he is describing is the feeling of heartbreak, not love. The act simply shows that he has yet to grow up and much to learn about love. Later in the play, when Romeo is bewitched by Juliet, he uses juxtaposition to compare her to the moon. Romeo describes his love for Juliet as the light that is taking over his world: “It is the East and Juliet is the sun,” (2.2.3). Shakespeare uses juxtaposition to show how Romeo’s character has grown from the beginning of the play. Terms of contrast assist in developing a more complex character.
Friar Laurence is proven to be a wise man; however, the use of juxtaposition makes him appear as a follower and easy to sway. When he says, “These violent delights have violent ends,” he is trying to warn Romeo of what could happen (2.6.9). Shakespeare shows Friar Laurence as a man who is not forward with his words, but rather, gives hints to people. The Friar offers one piece of advice before completely agreeing to Romeo’s request: “Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow” (2.6.15). Friar Laurence does not attempt to sway Romeo and goes along with the plan, but not without one last chance. Shakespeare demonstrates how a wise character can be forced into agreeing to something through juxtaposition.
Terms of contrast show how Juliet changes from an excited, impatient girl to a broken-hearted, deceived maiden. When Juliet is waiting for Romeo to arrive, she says, “And learn me how to lose a winning match” (3.2.12). She is characterized as a girl who cannot wait for her virginity to be taken. After she hears the dreadful news, however, she says, “Beautiful tyrant; Field angelical / Dove-feathered raven; Wolvish-ravening lamb / Despised substance of divinest snow / A damned saint, an honorable villain” (3.2.75-78). Her words show that she no longer believes Romeo a good-guy, and is rethinking her decision. Her sudden change in character is proven by terms of contrast.
Complex characters result in the constant use of juxtaposition in speech. Three of the characters that Shakespeare used to demonstrate a change in character are Romeo, Friar Laurence, and Juliet. Each of them had used various forms of juxtaposition to compare their personalities from the beginning to the end of the play. Terms of contrast help form the indirect characterization of a character.