Examples Of Juxtaposition In Romeo And Juliet

One of the most iconic writers to ever live, Shakespeare, knew many great ways to present the different personalities of his characters by using juxtaposition. One of his most famous plays, Romeo and Juliet, contains many examples of this. In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare uses juxtaposition to show the complexity inside the characters of his play. Shakespeare shows how Friar Laurence does not like the bad blood between the Capulets and the Montagues. He uses an oxymoron to show how dangerous it is for him to marry them: “violent delights”(2.6.9). Even though Friar Laurence is aware that there might be horrendous consequences, he knows it might end the feud between the Capulets and the Montagues. Shakespeare also uses another oxymoron to represent how their love can end just as quick as it started: “triumph die” (2.6.10). Even though Romeo and Juliet are so in love, their love could easily be broken because their families would kill each other if they found out what was happening behind their backs. Shakespeare has a great way of showing how critical their marriage could be.

Shakespeare uses this paradox to represent how disappointed he was when he found out that Rosaline did not love him back: “Misshapen chaos in well-seeming forms”(1.1.172). He had just recently met her and claimed he was “in love” with her, but he just notices looks. Romeo uses an oxymoron to claim how horrible love is to him: “bright smoke”(1.1.173). He is saying that love is bright and dark. After Romeo witnessed Juliet for the first time at a party, he thought she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen: “envious moon” (2.2.4). He immediately does not want to think of Rosaline anymore, and wants Juliet to overthrow his thoughts of her. Romeo thinks having a women love him is the only important concept in his life, therefore, he is easily depressed by