Romeo and Juliet, analytical essay

Romeo and Juliet Essay DRAFT
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Romeo and Juliet is an extremely well-known play written by William Shakespeare in the late 1590s. It is a story about an ancient rivalry between two wealthy families which is defied by two teenage star-crossed lovers who tragically die. The play was set in the Elizabethan era in Verona Italy. Despite that the play was written four hundred years ago it continues to capture the imaginations of teenagers in the 21st century, and the themes within the play are still seen in modern culture. These themes include infatuation, emotional extremity and rebellion.
Romeo and Juliet is the most famous love story in English literature history, infatuation is naturally the play’s foremost and most significant theme as Romeo and Juliet become infatuated with each other in an impossible situation. Romeo and his friends have crashed the Capulet’s party and Romeo has just laid eyes on Juliet, Romeo says “O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night like a rich jewel in an Ethiopia’s ear; Shakespeare’s use of metaphor “O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!” (1.5.2) reflects Romeo’s extreme infatuation with Juliet as he idolises her, Romeo is saying how beautiful and glowing Juliet is by comparing her to the stars. The love between Romeo and Juliet can come across as immature and impulsive which is why it is also known as infatuation. Teenagers in the 21st century still have these impulsive emotions which cause them to make immature decisions which aren’t thought through clearly with all the outcomes considered; examples of these impulsive actions are sexting, and having an un-committed sexual relationship.
Romeo’s wild emotions majorly impact those directly around him, especially Juliet. Romeo’s emotions are always very intense and usually change quite quickly without much thought to the previous matter which caused his emotions to go wild in the first place. Juliet is impacted by these extreme emotions as seen later in the play that Juliet’s level headedness is thrown out the window and quickly replaced with similar intense emotions just like Romeo. These emotions are seen commonly among teenagers now days, due to raging hormones and increasing pressure from other substantial causes, irrational mood swings and impulsive decisions tend to be a common sight leading teenagers down a road of new experiences which are sometimes dangerous.
Romeo and Juliet the
TOPIC SENTENCE POINT EVIEDENCE EXPLANATION mlwil1@uq.edu.au 2ewq
Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear! So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows (I.V.I)
- “My only love sprung from my only hate! Too early seen unknown, and known too late! Prodigious birth of love it is to me, That I must love a loathed enemy.”
- Take him and cut him out in little stars, And he will make the face of heaven so fineThat all the world will be in love with night...”