Romeo, Main Character in Shakespeare's Play About Children of Feuding Families.
Romeo and Juliet, a play by William Shakespeare
The third main character who appears in the play is Escalun, the Prince of Verona. He is the voice of authority throughout the play as he stops the fighting and violence. This is shown when he shouts ‘oh pain of torture ,from those bloody hands throw your mistempered weapons to the ground’, this is followed by the violent people stopping immediately which shows his power. He then says ‘hear the sentence of your moved Prince’, which shows he knows of his authority and knows how to express his voice. The prince introduces the theme of authority into the play. He warns the people when saying ‘if ever you disturb our streets again, your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace’. This shows the power he has and also, the Prince balances the first scene. As the first half is violent, then he appears, and then the second half is peaceful. In the film version produced by Zeffereli the Prince makes a dramatic entrance with trumpets and on horse back. This is used to show his authority as he is higher or above the other people. The theme of authority is widely used throughout the play in scenes such as when Romeo is banished and when Juliet’s father tries to make her marry Paris.
The fourth and final main character, Romeo is possibly the most important character in the play. This is shown when the play shows people talking about him even before he has appeared. For example, his parents and Benvolio are discussing him in act one scene one, lady Montague says ‘o where is Romeo?’ which is then followed up by the comments about Romeo being depressed and upset. This is a technique used to make the audience form opinions about Romeo before he appears. This is backed up by quotes such as ‘many a morning hath he there be seen, with tears augmenting the fresh morning’s dew, adding to clouds, more clouds with his deep sighs’. As Romeo enter the scene he is shown as sensitive in many ways. For example in the Baz Lerman film version Romeo is first seen writing love poetry. And in the Zeffereli film version Romeo enters carrying a flower.
In the conversation between Romeo and Benvolio, Romeo is love-sick. He says such things as ‘ay me, am in love’. This shows Romeo’s love situation. Also the fact that Romeo is alone when entering the scene helps the image of him being depressed and love-sick. Also Romeo uses contrasting language and oxymorons such as ‘feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health’, this shows Romeo is in a one way relationship and describes his situation very well and introduces the themes of conflict and opposites. Romeo is very sensitive and loving throughout the play. For example his relationship with Juliet introduces the romantic element into the play. Romeo also introduces many themes in the play such as love and destiny. This is because of mainly the relationship with Juliet. It is also clear that Romeo dislikes violence. This is shown in his speech in act one scene one when he says ‘oh me! What fray was here? Yet tell me not, for I have heard it all. There’s much to do with hate, but much more with love’, this shows his hatred of violence and that he prefers love to hate.
Index of School Homework and other writings.
Strictly copyright Beifan.Com for N.J.Jones, all rights reserved.
|
Send Email.
