Audrey R. Winterbottom Mr. Kalbach PD world Literature 21 May 2023 The role of honor in Romeo and Juliet In William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet, the theme of honor is shown throughout, affirming, challenging, and inevitably leads to a great act of love and bravery in the end. Shakespeare uses various literary devices in ways that blend them together. Soliloquies are used to confirm the love and commitment between Romeo and Juliet. Metaphors and similes are used to highlight the challenges faced by the star-crossed lovers and their families, both in life and after death.Additionally Shakespeare's use of contrasts indirectly showcases the love that emerges from tragedy rooted in the theme of honor. Romeo and Juliets genuine love …show more content…
This is shown by Shakespear’s use of simile and metaphor. These challenges continue to affect their families, particularly Juliets, even after their demise.The challenges that both Romeo and Juliet faced during their relationship were tough to navigate and this is shown when Juliet is questioning their relationship when expressing that “I have no joy in this contract tonight. It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden, Too like the lightning, which doth cease to be Ere one can say “It lightens.”(2.2.17-20). Juliet's questioning of her relationship with Romeo stems from the potential consequences it may have on her honor and family ties. The stress in this situation has led him to doubt the joy she finds in her relationship and question if marriage is too sudden or ill advised. This creates a significant obstacle in his relationship, as her sense of honor is conflicting with her love for Romeo. Even after Juliet's death her family's sense of honor is challenged, this expressed by Capulet when he says “Death is my son-in-law; Death is my heir.”(.4.4.67). This statement expresses their realization that their honor has been taken to the extreme, possibly contributing to Juliet's