Essay On Literary Devices In Romeo And Juliet

There are many different literary devices that can be used by authors for their stories or plays. These devices are used by authors to convey meaning for the audience or reader. Specifically, in the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, literary devices are used in abundance throughout the play. It was impressive how William Shakespeare was able to efficiently use many literary devices. Specifically, William Shakespeare used the literary device named foil. The foil technique is when the author contrasts the two characters in their character traits or personalities to create conflict or to create comic relief. In the play, there are two main families that are centered, the Capulets and the Montagues. These two families have always been at odds with each other. This causes most of the drama throughout the play. Even the servants of the families hate each other.The use of foil characters, allows them to fully

Romeo has a serious attitude towards love and is quick at it. Mercutio is a light-hearted and humourous person when it comes to love. When Romeo, Mercutio, Benvolio, and other characters are heading to a party of the Capulets, Romeo talks about his love for Rosaline, “Is love a tender thing? It is too rough, Too rude, too boisterous, and it pricks like thorn”(I,iv,25-26). He compares his love for Rosaline to a rose with thorns. This tells the reader or audience, how Romeo is serious about his feelings for love. In response to Romeo’s quote about Rosaline and his love for her, Mercutio states “If love be rough with you, be rough with love. Prick love for pricking, and you beat love down”(I.iv,27-28). This expresses how Mercutio is mocking and light-hearted when it comes to love hence, making him seem as if he does not take life in a serious matter. To sum up, Mercutio mocks and jokes about Romeo’s serious love that he shares with Rosaline, thus making these two characters foil in the