The Idea of Antithesis in Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet...

The Idea of Antithesis in Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet In this essay I am going to look at how antitheses are a big part and how they are central to Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet. There are many antitheses and oxymorons in the play and I will be examining how they are used and how they drive the play on, entertaining and involving the audience. There are so many examples of opposites in the play, covering language, characters, scenes and backgrounds, focusing in the main on the central theme throughout the play of love and hate. The first and main opposite we encounter in the play is love and hate, in act 1 scene 1 although a trace of all the opposites are always present throughout the†¦show more content†¦Once they marry they believe they are at the peak of the wheel of fortune, until fate closes in and makes havoc upon the couple, in the form of Tybalts anger. Therefore do nimble-pointed doves draw love, and therefore hath the wind-swift cupid wings. This shows us that the roll of fate between Romeo and Juliet is expected to turn love into death. Romeo does not want to follow fate and tries to escape it. Then I defy you stars. He is displaying his free will and going against fate but in the play nearly always fate wins over freewill, for example the last scenes where Romeo and Juliet eventually die. Fate has overpowered their freewill no matter how strong they might be. Another opposite which features throughout the play is youth and wisdom. For example in act 2 scene 5 between Juliet and the nurse I would hadst my bones and thy news, nay come I pray thee speak Juliet displays her youth and her naivety. She is almost begging for the nurse to speak. This sort of language you would expect from a young girl who is impatient and in love. It gives out an image in which you can see two people bickering away at each other. Shakespeare may have used the youth of the character to make a stereotypical young person which enlightens the play up, giving a kind of humorous outcome to the scene because of the differences between a wise and mature womanShow MoreRelatedShakespeares Use of Imagery and Symbolism to Create Dramatic Tension in Romeo and Juliet1606 Words   |  7 PagesShakespeares Use of Imagery and Symbolism to Create Dramatic Tension in Romeo and Juliet William Shakespeares play Romeo and Juliet is set in 16th Century Verona. It concerns two main characters, Romeo and Juliet, and their fight to keep their love and themselves alive. Romeo and Juliet are the only children of two feuding aristocratic families, the Capulets and the Montagues. At a party held by Lord Capulet, the two meet and instantaneously fall in love. Read MoreDifferences in the Tragedies of Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet by William Shakespeare1621 Words   |  7 Pagesintellect while also having physical strength. 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