Foils In Romeo And Juliet
Comedy and Tragedy as Foils
Shakespeare is an author that is known to pair comedy and tragedy together as foils. Susan Snyder, a scholar author has stated, “The source tales of Romeo and Othello would, I think, suggest quite readily to Shakespeare the possibility of using comic convention as a springboard for tragedy” (Snyder 123). In most of Shakespeare’s works, he uses elements of comedy to lead into a tragic event that will soon happened. Shakespeare also enjoys using tragedy to contrast the comedic elements in his writing. A large reason for the comedy contrasted to the tragedy is done in order to keep an audience entertained. According to Leech, “Shakespeare was bound to draw on his earlier treatments of love in comedy, but would need to make a major departure too” (Leech 1). In Romeo and Juliet, comedy and tragedy are used as foils of each other, which is shown through Mercutio’s …show more content…
During the death scene of Mercutio, he states,“Mercutio: I am hurt. A plague a both houses” (III.i.87). This line is ironic because the two houses are already cursed, members from each family will die at the end of the play anyway. Also, this line is ironic because Mercutio is cursing the family he was fighting against along with the family that he was fighting to support. The line when Benvolio states, “Benvolio: I pray thee, good Mercutio, let’s retire. The day is hot, The Capulets are abroad” (III.i.1-2) is also ironic because earlier in the play, Benvolio was the character always looking to start a fight, but now, he is the one trying to prevent Mercutio from fighting. Irony is very important to the comedic element in Shakespeare’s writing because it is a way to add subtle comedic jokes and keep the audience thinking. The irony along with tragic disaster in the play is a great example of how comedy and tragedy are foils of each
Shakespeare is an author that is known to pair comedy and tragedy together as foils. Susan Snyder, a scholar author has stated, “The source tales of Romeo and Othello would, I think, suggest quite readily to Shakespeare the possibility of using comic convention as a springboard for tragedy” (Snyder 123). In most of Shakespeare’s works, he uses elements of comedy to lead into a tragic event that will soon happened. Shakespeare also enjoys using tragedy to contrast the comedic elements in his writing. A large reason for the comedy contrasted to the tragedy is done in order to keep an audience entertained. According to Leech, “Shakespeare was bound to draw on his earlier treatments of love in comedy, but would need to make a major departure too” (Leech 1). In Romeo and Juliet, comedy and tragedy are used as foils of each other, which is shown through Mercutio’s …show more content…
During the death scene of Mercutio, he states,“Mercutio: I am hurt. A plague a both houses” (III.i.87). This line is ironic because the two houses are already cursed, members from each family will die at the end of the play anyway. Also, this line is ironic because Mercutio is cursing the family he was fighting against along with the family that he was fighting to support. The line when Benvolio states, “Benvolio: I pray thee, good Mercutio, let’s retire. The day is hot, The Capulets are abroad” (III.i.1-2) is also ironic because earlier in the play, Benvolio was the character always looking to start a fight, but now, he is the one trying to prevent Mercutio from fighting. Irony is very important to the comedic element in Shakespeare’s writing because it is a way to add subtle comedic jokes and keep the audience thinking. The irony along with tragic disaster in the play is a great example of how comedy and tragedy are foils of each