Theme Of Fear In Romeo And Juliet

Shakespeare depicts the theme of both fear and shock that Romeo feels when exiled in Act 3, Scene 3 of Romeo and Juliet. Immediately into the scene, Shakespeare uses personification when Romeo asks, “What sorrow craves acquaintance at my hand / That I yet know not?” (Shakespeare III.iii.5-6). Shakespeare sets the tone of fear using this literary device to show how there are to be harsh consequences for killing Tybalt. This theme is further explored when Romeo asks, “Doth she not think me an old murderer, / Now I have stained the childhood of our joy / With blood removed but little from her own?” (Shakespeare III.iii. 103-105). Romeo deeply fears how he's seen in the eyes of his wife after having murdered one of Juliet’s loved ones. Due to this

Romeo’s love for Juliet has grown strong, illustrated when he says, “But my true love is grown to such excess / I cannot sum up some of half my wealth” (3.1.33–34). Romeo's banishment and inability to see Juliet is Romeo's worst fear come true. “Calling death ‘banished,’ / Thou cutt’st my head off with a golden ax / And smilest upon the stroke that murders me” is a metaphor comparing banishment with death by a golden ax, used to display how dreadful Romeo’s punishment is to him, a theme heavily emphasized (Shakespeare III.iii. 22-24). Being apart from Juliet is a miserable life for Romeo, especially when he is the only one unable to see her. Shakespeare lists some of the animals that can be with Juliet to emphasize how terrible Romeo's banishment is and the fact that he, solely, is banned from her when saying, “Heaven is here, / Where Juliet lives, and every cat and dog / And little mouse, every unworthy thing, / Live here in heaven and may look on her, / But Romeo may not” (Shakespeare III.iii. 31-34).

Romeo and Juliet share a forbidden love for each other that is strong despite their circumstances. When banished from the city of Verona, Romeo fears for his future and feels that the punishment is worse than that of death. Being apart from his true love is a state that leads to a life of misery for Romeo. Shakespeare is able to emphasize and depict