Essay On Juxtaposition In Romeo And Juliet

Authors use terms of contrast to bring their characters to life. The writing technique adds depth and gives examples of what the character is thinking or how they are feeling. The terms of contrast juxtaposition, paradox, and oxymoron can all show what a character is like by creating indirect characterization. William Shakespeare often used terms of contrast in his works. Shakespeare frequently uses examples of terms of contrast to create indirect characterization in Romeo and Juliet. Juliet uses her terms of contrast to indirectly characterize herself as romantic and Romeo as perfect, but when she is betrayed by him, Juliet characterizes Romeo as an untrustworthy traitor. She uses an example of juxtaposition when she remarks, “thou day in night” about Romeo (3.2.17). Juliet’s juxtaposition characterizes Romeo as perfect because it shows him as being the only light in

He uses juxtaposition when he says, “Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon” (2.2.4). Romeo’s use of juxtaposition shows how he wants to be in love with Juliet, but he is still in love with Rosaline. This characterizes Romeo as indecisive. He uses a paradox when he says, “She speaks, yet she says nothing”(2.2.12). The paradox shows that Juliet is talking to herself but he cannot hear her. This means that Romeo is confused of whether or not she knows he is there. Romeo uses juxtaposition and paradox to show his love for Rosaline, and how he wants to love Juliet. This characterizes Juliet as perfect, and Romeo as loving.

In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, juxtaposition, paradox, and oxymoron are used to create characterization. Shakespeare uses juxtaposition, oxymoron, and paradox to characterize Romeo as perfect, childish, and indecisive while characterizing Juliet as caring, impulsive, and naive. Indirect characterization is created to bring characters to life by using terms of