Examples Of Diction In Romeo And Juliet

In this passage, Shakespeare utilizes metaphor and negative diction to characterize Romeo as a person who is conflicted and frustrated by love, which ultimately reveals the theme that love is uncontrollable, conflicting, and short-lived. Towards the end of act 1 scene 1, Romeo still has a big crush on Rosaline, but Rosaline has no feelings for him. Hence, Romeo experienced a sense of depression and is conflicted by love. In this passage, Shakespeare uses numerous metaphors. “Love is a smoke raised with the fume of sighs.” (1.1.197) This is a metaphor that equates love with smoke. “Smoke” disappears in the air very quickly. Therefore, by saying “love is a smoke”, Shakespeare suggests that love is short-lasting and fleeting. Furthermore, Shakespeare compares love

The word “preserving” shows that you want to keep something for a long time. Meanwhile, “sweet” connotes that it is something addictive. Common sense dictates that candy is not healthy. Hence, this phrase suggests that love is not the healthiest, but we really long for it. Therefore, this exhibits that love is conflicting. At last but not least, the author employs negative diction, such as: “vexed” (1.1.199), “madness” (1.1.200), and “gall” (1.1.201). “Vexed” denotes annoyed, and “madness” denotes insanity. Since Romeo is referring to love in such a negative way, this shows that Romeo is pessimistic about love. In this passage, the metaphors demonstrate that love is short-lasting, depressing, and conflicting. Due to the metaphor and negative diction in this passage, the author characterizes Romeo as a person who is conflicted and frustrated by love. Ultimately, Shakespeare reveals the thematic message that love is uncontrollable, conflicting, and short-lived. The theme is very significant throughout the book, because Romeo forgets about Rosaline completely, and falls in love with Juliet later. Throughout the plot of the story, this theme is constantly