Examples Of Figurative Language In Romeo And Juliet

Danielle Matamba Matamba 1

Marryat

NC English 1

8 February 2023

Analysis of Shakespeare’s Iconic Romeo and Juliet Balcony Scene

The classic author, William Shakespeare, is well known for his usage of figurative language in his most famous tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. Many scholars consider Shakespeare the master of figurative language. In Romeo and Juliet, he uses different forms of figurative language to help create tension and add to the tragedy. In Romeo and Juliet’s balcony scene, Shakespeare relays Romeo and Juliet’s passionate, almost obsessive young love through the

At the Capulet party, Romeo and Juliet call each other “saints” and “pilgrims”. Juliet tells him to cast his family name, and Romeo calls out, “Call me but, love and I’ll be newly baptized” (2.2.50). If Juliet calls him her love, he will no longer be a Montague which is like how when someone has a baptism done to dispose of their sin. Romeo responds to Juliet and calls Juliet “dear saint,” (2.2.66) asserting that Juliet is holy and is in or will go to heaven. Romeo surrenders his entire being to Juliet, closely encroaching to an obsessive level as if he is a martyr or someone with

Juei uses archetypal imagery to ensure the stability of their relationship. Romeo describes Juliet’s eyes as “Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven”(2.2.15). He compares her to the stars and those stars would ask her “to twinkle in their spheres till they return” (2.2.16). Romeo compares her earnest eyes to the stars, commenting that the stars could be replaced by her eyes and they will still shine the same. Romeo also describes Juliet as a “bright angel”(2.2.26) and she is the winged messenger or heaven/ Unto the white, upturned, wondering eyes/ Of mortals that fall back to gaze on him”(2.2.28-30). He compares Juliet to God’s messengers, that turn mortals head when they come down on earth, as men turn their heads when Juliet walks by. Juliet tells Romeo not to swear by “the moon, th’ inconstant moon/... Lest thy love prove likewise variable,” (2.2.109,110) Juliet’s way to ask that he prove his love will never change, unlike the constantly changing