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Examples Of Humor In Romeo And Juliet

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Recommended: Humors in romeo and juliet

Anthony Vu
Mr. Martin
Period 1
Day Month Year
Contract 7
Task 2A
Act I Question #4

Romeo and Juliet, written by William Shakespeare, is centered around serious and tragic events. However, Shakespeare includes many instances of humor and comic relief. In Act 1, they are used for a variety of purposes, but mainly to provide contrast to the tragic nature of the play and to establish the personalities of the characters in the play. The humor helps lighten the mood and break the tension, which helps the audience better receive the more serious themes that are later introduced.
An example of humor seen in Act 1 is in Scene 4, where Mercutio makes the joke about Romeo’s dream, saying “Dreamers often lie” (I.iv.53). This is a pun, where “lie” means …show more content…

Romeo says, “I have a soul of lead / So stakes me to the ground I cannot move" (I.iv.16-17). This statement is a hyperbole, exaggerating Romeo’s feelings of sadness and despair. Benvolio responds with a witty remark, saying, “You are a lover. Borrow Cupid's wings / And soar with them above a common bound” (I.iv.18-19).
Another example of humor found in Act 1 happens when Gregory and Sampson engage with the Montague servants. Sampson insults the servants by saying, "I will bite my thumb at them, which is a disgrace to them, if they bear it" (I.i.38-39). This is a humorous moment because it sparks a conflict between the two groups with an insulting gesture.
Shakespeare's use of humor in Romeo and Juliet serves multiple purposes, including providing a contrast to the play's tragic themes, establishing the personalities of the characters, and lightening the mood. The comedic moments in Act 1, such as Mercutio's pun, Romeo's hyperbole, and Sampson's insult, help the audience to better receive the more serious themes that are later introduced, but they also add depth to the characters and their relationships. Shakespeare's use of humor in Romeo and Juliet creates a compelling story with many dimensions to its characters, themes, and

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