Theme Of Foreshadowing In Romeo And Juliet

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In the play Romeo and Juliet, the audience often leaves thinking “if only… then…” they remember back to the parts that could have easily been avoided which would have made the ending turn out differently, and perhaps Romeo and Juliet would not have suffered such a tragic end. Shakespeare purposely wrote the prologue, which clearly states the end, “[a] pair of star-crossed lovers take their life… Doth with their death bury their parents’ strife,” (Prologue 6, 8), to send a message to the audience. There is a common misconception that the prologue is a foreshadowing of the two lovers’ end because foreshadowing is when there is a hint, but the prologue declares the ending, so it is not a forshadow. Shakespeare’s purpose of the prologue is to…show more content…
He also starts off with the irony that a family with so much hate could produce children with a love so strong. Throughout the play, Shakespeare uses the literary device of foreshadowing to hint at the direction of the story, and the actions of the characters and pending events. He also uses dramatic irony to add excitement intended for the viewer alone to enjoy. This helps generate a sense of authority and even an advantage for the audience over the characters because there is a hint of knowledge of what is about to occur. In a sense, this is similar to reading a comic about superheroes, for we know that the protagonist will win we just don’t yet know the details of how; and while we feel a comfort for the ultimate outcome, we are engrossed in the way he gets…show more content…
Shall bitterly begin his fearful date… By some vile forfeit of untimely death,” (1.4.114-115). Shakespeare is telling us that something bad will happen to Romeo. Here Shakespeare uses fate. Foreshadowing is a key part in Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare uses it all over the play to keep reminding everyone what going to happen. “These violent delights have violent ends” (2.6.9). Shakespeare reminds the watchers again about the future, foreshadowing what will happen. The Friar warns Romeo that by marrying Juliet now, without thinking of all the consequences that can happen and by rushing into the relationship bad things can happen. Shakespeare is revealing that by Romeo rushing into things without thinking something bad will happen to Romeo and Juliet. It was fate that brought these two opposite people together. Two people from two big prominent families who hate one another for some ancient and unknown reason were brought together by fate, but also by irony. Shakespeare could have told an easy love story, but it had to be one with an extreme paradox – love through hatred. Fate, dramatic irony and the visions that he kept giving to his audience, all showed that the two opposites were destined for each other no matter what the practical approach might have been. Juliet says “My only love sprung from my only hate” (1.5.52). The dramatic irony in this is
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