Romeo And Juliet's Flaws Essay

792 Words4 Pages

William Shakespeare, in his timeless tragedy "Romeo and Juliet," masterfully positions the audience to empathise with Juliet's decision to defy her family. By exploring character flaws, the influence of the Elizabethan era, and employing various literary devices, Shakespeare crafts a narrative that evokes a deep sense of sympathy for Juliet. Set against the backdrop of feuding families in Verona, the play delves into themes of love, conflict, and societal expectations. This essay examines how Shakespeare achieves this, focusing on the tragic flaws of the characters, the societal context of the Elizabethan era, and his adept use of literary techniques. Shakespeare intricately weaves character flaws into the narrative, which serves to highlight …show more content…

This flaw not only intensifies Juliet’s dilemma, but also positions the audience to view her defiance as a desperate, yet justified, act of rebellion against an unsympathetic patriarch. Capulet's authoritarian nature is found in Act 3, Scene 5, where he harshly berates Juliet for refusing to marry Paris, calling her "baggage" and threatening to disown her. This moment vividly illustrates his tyrannical control and lack of empathy. It becomes clear that Shakespeare uses Capulet's flaws to amplify Juliet's struggle and evoke a sense of injustice, making her rebellion more understandable and sympathetic to the audience. In conclusion, by highlighting these character flaws, Shakespeare deepens the audience's emotional engagement with Juliet’s plight. The societal norms of the Elizabethan era, particularly the patriarchy and the role of women, significantly impact the writing of "Romeo and Juliet" and shape the audience's perception of Juliet's defiance. The topic sentence introduces the relevance of historical context in understanding Juliet’s …show more content…

Evaluating this context, Shakespeare’s portrayal of Juliet's struggle reflects the limited agency of women in his time, thereby eliciting sympathy from the audience. The concept of arranged marriages, common in Elizabethan society, further compounds Juliet's predicament, as her love for Romeo starkly contrasts with the transactional nature of her proposed marriage to Paris. In conclusion, the societal backdrop enhances the audience's understanding of Juliet's actions as not merely rebellious but as a fight for personal autonomy and genuine love. Shakespeare employs a variety of literary devices to deepen the audience's emotional response to Juliet’s defiance. The topic sentence outlines the use of dramatic techniques to evoke empathy. Through the use of dramatic irony, the audience is made painfully aware of the tragic fate that awaits the young lovers, heightening the sense of impending doom and eliciting greater sympathy for Juliet’s desperate actions. Dramatic irony, such as the audience's knowledge of Juliet's impending fate, increases the emotional