Olivia Jacobson Ms. Unseth Language Literature 1 Honors Monday, March, 13 Romeo and Juliet Essay Assignment The play "Romeo and Juliet," written by the renowned writer Shakespeare, portrays the struggles faced by two passionate individuals in love, ultimately resulting in their tragic endings. Through the use of literary devices such as metaphors, foreshadowing, and the two main characters, Shakespeare conveys the theme of the struggle for love that is early relatable to readers. Metaphor can be seen as the first literary tool used, which shows Romeo speaking with his new lover, Juliet. 1.5.711-714 "Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much/ Which mannerly devotion shows in this/ For saints have hands that pilgrims’ hands do touch/ And …show more content…
When Romeo, Benvolio, and Mercutio are about to attend a Capulet party, readers first notice foreshadowing. Just as the three are about to enter the party, Romeo tells them about a dream he had the night before and how he worries that something bad will happen there and that it could lead to his death. 1.4.595-692 “I fear too early, for my mind misgives/ Some consequence yet hanging in the stars/ Shall bitterly begin his fearful date/ With this night’s revels, and expire the term Of a despisèd life closed in my breast/ By some vile forfeit of untimely death. But he that hath the steerage of my course Direct my sail. On, lusty gentlemen.” In this quote, Romeo’s dream foreshadows his death later on in the story, where he dies out of grief for Juliet. The final, and important time in the story that readers see foreshadowing is a few moments before he receives the news that Juliet is dead. 5.1.2738-2744 "I dreamt my lady came and found me dead; (Strange dream that gives a dead man leave to; think!); And breathed such life with kisses in my lips/ That I revived and was an emperor.; Ah me, how sweet is love itself possessed; When but love’s shadows are so rich in joy!" Readers are aware at this point in the plot that Juliet is not dead, but because the