Examples Of Soliloquy In Romeo And Juliet

Friar Laurence’s Soliloquy

In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare uses elements of language in Friar Laurence’s speech to convey the idea that everything is both good and evil. In the first half of the soliloquy, Friar addresses the fact that it’s the morning,and the language he chooses, has a negative connotation creating a baleful atmosphere. He then introduces the personification of “The grey-ey’d morn smiles on the frowning night”.(2.3.1) This also introduces the mood of the soliloquy, which also contrasts the moon being dark like night. The personification and comparison of things create the structure of the soliloquy by addressing that everything is both good and evil depending on how one is using it. Another example of the central idea would be the comparison of being in a womb and a tomb. As follows “The earth that’s nature’s

As follows “Many for many virtues excellent, None but for some, and yet all different.”(2.3.13-14) This means that all the herbs and plants are for many excellent heals but some are different, in other words, it follows the central idea of good and evil, establishing a point that he giving warning to those who don’t use them correctly. The structure that Shakespeare shows readers is of Friar continuing to compare and contrast good and evil with other things. Furthermore, towards the end of the soliloquy, Friar is making a point which is to give this warning to Romeo and Juliet, “Being tasted, stays all senses with the heart, Two such opposed kings encamp them still, In man as well as herbs, grace and rude will; and where the worser is predominant, Full soon the canker death eats up that plant.” (2.3.26-30). All these ending quotes foreshadow the ending of the play. Friar’s soliloquy is mainly about the healing power of herbs and plants, he warns that some can be poisonous which foreshadows the tragic end of this love