Moods Depicted By Literary Devices In Romeo And Juliet

Literary devices have the ability to add energy and excitement to the text. This keeps readers engaged and allows the reader to use their imagination. This is the case in William Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet. In the play, literary devices used give readers the opportunity to connect to the different concepts represented. Readers are often intrigued when a storyline contains a heartfelt romance. Throughout the play, literary devices help to enhance Romeo and Juliet’s love for eachother. Humour often appeals to readers during moments of intense tragedy, to lighten the mood. The play Romeo and Juliet, contains literary devices that are used as a form of comedic relief in times of tragedy. Storylines must contain suspenseful moments, in order to create reader anticipation. Romeo and Juliet consists of literary devices that create a thrilling experience for readers, in moments of confrontation. Therefore, literary devices are used to depict different moods, in order to bring William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet to life.

In Romeo and Juliet literary devices bring the play to life by generating a romantic mood. Firstly, Shakespeare uses a metaphor, as a way for Romeo to describe Juliet’s beauty. While Romeo glances at Juliet’s window he exclaims, “Juliet is the sun”(2.2. 3). This statement means that Romeo believes Juliet’s beauty radiates off of her, and brightens his day. The metaphor itself gives readers an insight on how much admiration Romeo has for Juliet’s beauty. Next, a simile is used to demonstrate that Juliet sees her and Romeo’s love as everlasting. When Romeo and Juliet exchange affectionate compliments on the balcony Juliet says, “My bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep; the more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite.”(2.2. 133-135). This remark means that the more love she gives Romeo, the more she receives. A proclamation such as this, entices readers because it establishes a convincing romance. Lastly, hyperbole is used to embellish Romeo’s love towards Juliet. When Romeo first lays eyes on Juliet he whispers, “Did my heart love till now? Forswear its sight! For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night!”(1.5. 51-52). Romeo is saying that he has never loved before spotting Juliet simply because he has never seen someone as admirably beautiful. This comment leaves readers thinking that the concept of love at first sight is logical. Clearly, a romantic mood is developed by the use of literary devices, to bring the play to life.

A humorous mood brings the play to life, with the use of literary devices. Firstly, William Shakespeare uses personification to display Mercutio’s amusing perception of love. Mercutio believes that after experiencing heartbreak it is appropriate to “Prick love for pricking, and you beat love down.”(1.4. 27-28). Mercutio is advising Romeo to defeat love since it is causing him pain. Readers find Mercutio’s attitude towards love comical compared to Romeo, who has an impractical take on love. Next, a metaphor is implemented to describe the nurses appearance in a joking manner. When Benvolio realizes the Nurse is approaching he shouts, “A sail, a sail!”(2.4. 99). Benvolio is suggesting that the Nurse’s clothing must be sails, since she is obese. Before this statement, Tybalt challenged Romeo to a fight. Therefore, this comment made by Benvolio delivers a much needed laughable moment for readers. Lastly, a simile used reveals the Nurse’s absurd personality. When Juliet falls as a child, the Nurse describes the bump on her head by comparing it to “A bump as big as a young cockerel’s stone”(1.3. 53). According to the Nurse, Juliet’s bump resembles a roosters testicle. This observation presents the Nurse’s character as being laughable, which engages readers. Clearly, literary devices bring the play to life by creating a humorous mood.

Literary devices convey a suspenseful mood to bring the play Romeo and Juliet to life. Firstly, a metaphor is integrated to signify impending danger. During a heated argument between Tybalt and Mercutio, Mercutio says, “Good King of Cats, nothing but one of your nine lives, that I mean to make bold withal, and, as you shall use me hereafter, dry-beat the rest of the eight.”(3.1. 76-78). Mercutio thinks that Tybalt’s presence is much like a cats, since he is territorial and agile. However, Mercutio will not hesitate to claim Tybalt’s life. This metaphor intensifies the argument and leaves readers questioning the fate of Tybalt and Mercutio. Next, hyperbole is used to create tension between Lord Capulet and his daughter Juliet. When Juliet disobeys her father by refusing to marry Paris, Capulet exclaims, “I’ll ne’er acknowledge thee”(3.5. 205). As a result of Juliet’s disobedience, Lord Capulet wants to intimidate her by exaggerating the fact that he is willing to disown her. This remark makes readers concerned for Juliet’s relationship with her father and her overall well-being. Lastly, a metaphor is implemented to develop reader concern. Romeo decides that since the love of his life has died, he should die as well. Romeo expresses his intentions when he says, “The time and my intents are savage-wild, more fierce and more inexorable far than empty tigers or the roaring sea.”(5.3. 37-39). Romeo’s actions are more violent than merciless tigers that are starving and more brutal than a sea storm. This keeps readers enxious because they are wondering if Romeo will act on his intentions and commit suicide. Therefore, a suspenseful mood is achieved by the use of literary devices, that bring the play to life.

In conclusion different moods are portrayed using literary devices to bring William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet to life. Storylines containing heartfelt romance interest readers. Literary devices in Romeo and Juliet reinforce the love they share, while evoking readers emotions. Humour is a mechanism used to relieve readers when tragedy intensifies. Romeo and Juliet consists of literary devices that provide comedic relief to readers. Storylines containing moments of suspense, build reader apprehension. Literary devices chosen in Romeo and Juliet create an exciting experience for readers in moments of confrontation. Therefore, literary devices have the power to convey moods that allow the reader to connect to the text emotionally.

Works Cited

Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000. Print.