Romeo and Juliet Analytical Essay
A Taste of Shakespeare - 'Romeo and Juliet'
William Shakespeare is widely known for all of his literary works; one of his most famous love tragedies being 'Romeo and Juliet'. A Shakespearean definition of tragedy exemplifies the sense that human beings are inevitably doomed through their own failures or errors, the ironic action of their virtues, or even through the nature of fate and destiny (Sayour, Susan, 2007). Romeo and Juliet is a tragic tale based on two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately unite their feuding families. Throughout the play, Shakespeare intentionally draws on text structures and language features in order to replicate the attitudes, values and beliefs of Elizabethan audiences and intertwine it into his play. Act 4, Scene 3 effectively demonstrates how the plot and themes, and characterization and language contribute to making Romeo and Juliet a true tragedy.
The English Elizabethan Era is one of the most captivating periods in the history of England - it was a time of great excitement and drama. The Elizabethans believed The Great Chain of Being governed society, family, nature and even the human body. God was the head of all, just as the king was the head of State and the father the head of the family. If things were out of order or an element in the chain did not function according to its proper role, chaos would ensue (Baits, 2006, pg. 14). Comparable to these days where every woman would look forward to that day when they would have to walk down the aisle, Elizabethan marriages were also one of the highlights of every woman's life. The chief difference was, back then; women possessed very little right in choosing their husband. It was considered foolish to marry someone out of love, even if love may have sometimes occurred in marriage. The ceremony was arranged by families of the bride and groom in order for the two sides to benefit from one another. Families of landowners were expected to marry just to augment their
William Shakespeare is widely known for all of his literary works; one of his most famous love tragedies being 'Romeo and Juliet'. A Shakespearean definition of tragedy exemplifies the sense that human beings are inevitably doomed through their own failures or errors, the ironic action of their virtues, or even through the nature of fate and destiny (Sayour, Susan, 2007). Romeo and Juliet is a tragic tale based on two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately unite their feuding families. Throughout the play, Shakespeare intentionally draws on text structures and language features in order to replicate the attitudes, values and beliefs of Elizabethan audiences and intertwine it into his play. Act 4, Scene 3 effectively demonstrates how the plot and themes, and characterization and language contribute to making Romeo and Juliet a true tragedy.
The English Elizabethan Era is one of the most captivating periods in the history of England - it was a time of great excitement and drama. The Elizabethans believed The Great Chain of Being governed society, family, nature and even the human body. God was the head of all, just as the king was the head of State and the father the head of the family. If things were out of order or an element in the chain did not function according to its proper role, chaos would ensue (Baits, 2006, pg. 14). Comparable to these days where every woman would look forward to that day when they would have to walk down the aisle, Elizabethan marriages were also one of the highlights of every woman's life. The chief difference was, back then; women possessed very little right in choosing their husband. It was considered foolish to marry someone out of love, even if love may have sometimes occurred in marriage. The ceremony was arranged by families of the bride and groom in order for the two sides to benefit from one another. Families of landowners were expected to marry just to augment their