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How Does Shakespeare Create Tension In Romeo And Juliet

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The play 'Romeo and Juliet' by William Shakespeare exemplifies how tension in human relationships can generate interest within the audience through the use of rhetorical devices like foreshadowing as well as metaphorical and ironic language. Special effects were not available during the Elizabethan times, and graphic scenes that would require potent visuals would often forestall entire play productions. For this reason, playwrights had to employ other techniques to captivate audiences. Shakespeare achieved this through his peculiar use of language, that way the success of the play stemmed more from the story, as opposed to the visual part of the play. In the play, the tension between the lovers caused by their familial belonging was a catalyst, luring the audience into their sorrowful stories, whilst making the audience feel a range of different emotions, all at the start of the play. The quote …show more content…

Becoming one of the main ways the play is recognised by people to this day, you can only imagine how rewarding it would have been, seeing it play out on stage, during the Elizabethan era. There is certainly no arguing that this scene was the most successful part of the play, despite its dismality. The quote "For never was a story of more woe Than this of Juliet and her Romeo." from Act V, Scene III, stood out amongst all others. This was said by the prince at the end of the play, addressing the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. The quote, in a way, broke the 4th wall. It was as though the prince was aware that Romeo and Juliet were the main focus. Interestingly enough, Shakespeare never intended for this effect, but it highlights the fact that Shakespeare knew that this was going to be a very successful part of the play, potentially being the only reason some people will choose to view it in the first place, it highlights that Shakespeare knew that their tragic love was going to be the center of

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