Figurative Language In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

Figurative language helps add dimension to writing. Authors incorporate oxymorons, and juxtapositions into their writings when indirectly characterizing. When reading sentences with figurative language in them, it makes it feel like the characters are real life people. William Shakespeare’s characters in Romeo and Juliet are more interesting because they have more real life dialogue filled with figurative language. William Shakespeare makes his characters complex by incorporating oxymorons and juxtapositions. Even though Juliet is wise beyond her years, she is still naive. Shakespeare shows just how naive Juliet is by including juxtaposition and oxymorons. When Juliet is waiting for Romeo she says, “Oh I have bought the mansion of love but

Romeo says, “arise fair sun, and kill the envious moon, who is already sick and pale with grief.’ (2.2.4). In that statement Romeo calls Juliet the sun and because it is the night he is trying to say the moon is attempting to steal Juliet’s beauty. Romeo also says. “ she hangs upon the cheek of night like a rich jewel in an Ethiop’s ear.” (1.5.43). That statement shows how admiring Romeo is towards Juliet. The statement also shows how highly he thinks of her. Romeo also states, “O loving hate!” (1.1.169). Romeo is saying that love can be hard, but because of his personality he continues to work hard to be the man that Juliet wants him to be. Back when Juliet was waiting for Romeo so they could consummate their marriage Romeo had been banished. Romeo still was married to Juliet and was waiting to hear from her, because he is a very loyal guy. Romeo has a very strong characteristics that allow him to be a loyal friend, son, and husband.

In the end Romeo, Juliet, and Friar Laurence are all complex characters because shakespeare makes them have real life characteristics. When reading Romeo and Juliet understanding their sense of humanity is relatively easy. The characters all have real life personalities and traits that allows people to relate to them. Romeo and Juliet is a classic, because of how well Shakespeare makes all of the characters so