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Language and Dramatic Devices in Romeo And Juliet Essay

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How does Shakespeare use language and dramatic devices to develop the character of Juliet and manipulate the audiences reactions to her?

In the play Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare uses language and dramatic devices to develop Juliets character and manipulate the audiences reaction towards her during Act 3 Scene 5.

Throughout Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare links with the social historical context of the time. Both the play and Shakespeares life were set in the renaissance. At the time there was a strong belief in Patriarchal society. This meant men were the leading figures and made all the decisions. They had control over their families especially the women. The daughters in particular belonged to their father and he was their owner. They couldnt hold their own opinions or views and had very little, if no freedom. This is shown through Juliet and her father.

The story of Romeo and Juliet goes back further than Shakespeares life. Therefore, it links to the medieval traditions of courtly love. This meant men had to adore women and women had to ignore their loving gestures. This is important because Romeo and Juliet go completely against these traditions, as they get married straight away and this wouldve shocked an Elizabethan audience.

In the first part of Act 3 Scene 5 we see, Juliet pleading with Romeo not to leave. The stage direction enter Romeo and Juliet aloft at the window makes us sympathise for Juliet because the window is symbolic as it is the place they both met. The word fearful shows us how Juliet is feeling and shows the audience she is frightened about what will happen to Romeo as he has been banished for killing Tybalt. She then says Believe me, love. The phrase Believe me shows how desperate Juliet is to persuade Romeo to stay. Furthermore, Love is her pet name for him. This shows the sweetness in Romeo and Juliets relationship. He is realistic about the situation of his banishment to Mantua. He too calls Juliet by the pet name of love. This again shows the sweetness of their relationship and again Shakespeare is building up our sympathy.

In addition, Juliet says yond light is not daylight, I know it. This shows how desperate she wants Romeo to stay. Her desperation is effective as Romeo then gives in and says Come, death, and welcome. This builds up our sympathy towards Romeo and Juliet as we know that Romeo does eventually die. This is an example of dramatic irony.

Also, Juliet then says it is, it is. The effect of the repetition emphasises Juliets sudden shock realisation of Romeos fate if he stays. The phrases harsh discords and unpleasing sharps create an unpleasant atmosphere and also show us how she suddenly realises he has to go as the sweet sounds are now unnatural unlike the lark and nightingale. Juliet now changes her language, this doth not so. This shows Juliet now talking bluntly and being realistic. We as the audience feel sorry for Juliet because she is realising she has to separate from Romeo, something she never thought would happen and this builds up our sympathy.

Furthermore, Shakespeare shows us Juliets confusion. O now I would they had changed voices too. This shows Juliet feeling helpless, because the situation is so out of her control. There is nothing she can do about it. O now be gone, more light and light it grows, shows Juliet panicking because she doesnt want Romeo to die. This makes us sympathise for Juliet because she is preparing to say goodbye to her husband.

After Romeo descends from the window, Juliet says Art thou gone so?. The effect of the rhetorical question is she knows he is going but we are shown how she cant believe that he has to leave. She asks him this question with a list love, lord, ay husband, friend This shows us how important Romeo is to Juliet. This makes the audience feel sorry for Juliet as by losing Romeo she is losing her everything.

She then says for in a minute there are many days. This makes us feel sympathy towards Juliet because she is saying that every minute without Romeo will surely feel like an eternity. This is effective because Shakespeare has exaggerated. Ere I again behold my Romeo. The use of my shows Juliet saying Romeo belongs to her as her everything.

Furthermore, Juliet says O thinkst thou we shall ever meet again. Here is an example of dramatic irony because Romeo and Juliet never do meet again. This also reveals Juliets true worries so the audience feel sorry for her.

In addition, Juliet now has a premonition of Romeo dead. I see now, thou art so low, as one dead in the bottom of a tomb, either my eyesight fails or thou lookst pale. This is also an example of dramatic irony as Romeo dies in a tomb. This again makes us feel sympathetic towards Juliet, because she cant know exactly what the premonition means and because we know of Romeos death which is the cause of Juliets also.

Furthermore, Juliet then asks what dost thou with him that is renowned for faith?. This is a rhetorical question. Juliet wants to know why her and Romeo are in this situation. This shows Juliets confusion and desperation because she cant change what is happening. This makes us feel sympathetic toward her because she is so lost and has such a lack of control.

She then says not keep him long, but send him back. The irony of this makes us feel sorry for Juliet because Romeo does eventually come back from Mantua, but she doesnt get to see Romeo alive.

Once Romeo leaves, Juliet suddenly has to change as her mother enters the scene. Ho, daughter, are you up?. The word ho is blunt and sharp. Lady Capulet talks to Juliet in a harsh tone. This shows there is no real loving relationship between Juliet and her mother, showing us she has little parental support so we feel sorry for her.

Then Juliet answers Who ist that calls?. Here Juliet is clever and devious. We feel sorry for her because she has to put on a brave face in front of her mother. Juliet is devious because she knows it is her mother calling but she acts as if she doesnt know.

Juliet then says What unaccustomed cause procures her hither?. This shows that Juliet and her mother are not very close as she doesnt know why her mother is calling but also the audience dont know either, this means when Juliet finds out why her mother is calling the audience find out at the same time so we can empathise with Juliet more.

Furthermore, Juliets mother is very blunt towards Juliet. She answers Why how now, Juliet! The exclamation mark shows the bluntness. We feel sorry for Juliet because of the way her mother talks to her.

In addition, Lady Capulet is convinced that Juliet is mourning for Tybalts death but doesnt seem to care at all. We know this from the quote Therefore have done. Some grief shows much love, but much of grief shows still some want of wit. This shows Lady Capulet telling Juliet just to get over it. She has a very uncaring reaction. This builds up the audiences sympathy towards Juliet because of how uncaring and sharp her mother is.

Juliet then says I cannot choose but ever weep the friend. Here she uses double entendres. Her mother believes she is talking about Tybalt whereas the audience know that she is in fact talking about Romeo, building up our sympathy further.

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