Skip to main content

What line/s foreshadow the deaths of Romeo and Juliet?

There are many examples of lines that foreshadow the deaths of these characters. Of course, the play's prologue tells us that fate dooms these "star-cross'd lovers" but the play text itself contains many more subtle examples of foreshadowing. 


The link provided offers some examples, and I have included some additional ones here.


Some examples are as follows: When Juliet says "Parting is such sweet sorrow" in the balcony scene, this can be seen as a...

There are many examples of lines that foreshadow the deaths of these characters. Of course, the play's prologue tells us that fate dooms these "star-cross'd lovers" but the play text itself contains many more subtle examples of foreshadowing. 


The link provided offers some examples, and I have included some additional ones here.


Some examples are as follows: When Juliet says "Parting is such sweet sorrow" in the balcony scene, this can be seen as a foreshadowing quite early on that the lovers will be separated; it also somewhat parallels the scene where they spend their first night together and their reluctance to part the next morning.


Romeo also says to Juliet earlier in the balcony scene: "Life were better ended by thy hate, than death prorogued, wanting of thy love." Here he is speaking to the hatred of Romeo's family by Juliet's family, even though he knows Juliet wishes to overlook the feud that keeps them apart.


Later in the play, when Juliet is waiting for Romeo to come to her at night, in the midst of her monologue wherein she speaks of Romeo with imagery related to the stars and moon and night sky, she says "When he shall die, take him and cut him out in little stars." She speaks lovingly, but these words are a haunting prelude to her lover's death.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

What is hyperbole in the story "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry?

The most obvious use of hyperbole in "The Gift of the Magi" occurs when the narrator describes Della's and Jim's evaluations of their two treasures—her long, luxuriant hair and his gold watch. Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts. Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his... The most obvious use of hyperbole in "The Gift of the Magi" occurs when the narrator describes Della's and Jim's evaluations of their two treasures—her long, luxuriant hair and his gold watch. Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts. Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his treasures piled up in the basement, Jim would have pulled out his watch every time he passed, just to see him plu

How can I analyze Moon and Six Pence by Somerset Maugham?

In "Moon and Sixpence," loosely based on the life of Paul Gaugin, Maugham presents a study of the tension between the "civilized" life of 19th century Europe, and the lead character's desire to throw off the shackles of bourgeois life. Charles Strickland is a middle-aged English stockbroker with a wife and family. By abandoning his domestic life, Strickland commits what many in European society would consider a gross betrayal of one of the foundations of... In "Moon and Sixpence," loosely based on the life of Paul Gaugin, Maugham presents a study of the tension between the "civilized" life of 19th century Europe, and the lead character's desire to throw off the shackles of bourgeois life. Charles Strickland is a middle-aged English stockbroker with a wife and family. By abandoning his domestic life, Strickland commits what many in European society would consider a gross betrayal of one of the foundations of that society. His decision to e

What are some literary devices in Macbeth, Act V, Scene 1?

Act V, Scene i of Macbeth certainly continues the imagery that is prevalent in the play with its phantasmagoric realm, as in this scene a succession of things are seen or imagined by Lady Macbeth. Imagery - The representation of sensory experience Lady Macbeth imagines that she sees bloody spots (visual imagery) on the stairs; she also smells blood (olfactory imagery): Here's the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not... Act V, Scene i of Macbeth certainly continues the imagery that is prevalent in the play with its phantasmagoric realm, as in this scene a succession of things are seen or imagined by Lady Macbeth. Imagery - The representation of sensory experience Lady Macbeth imagines that she sees bloody spots (visual imagery) on the stairs; she also smells blood (olfactory imagery): Here's the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. Oh! oh, oh! (5.1.53-55) Hyperbole - Obvious exaggeration  There is also h