Literary Elements In Romeo And Juliet

Literary Elements

There are many literary elements found throughout Romeo and Juliet. Ð'¬ Foreshadowing is very prominent in the play, especially in the prologue in act one 5 and 6. A pun is used in many places throughout the story; one is in act 1 scene 4 lines 39-41. Another literary element used in Romeo and Juliet is an oxymoron; an example of this is in act 3 scene 2 lines 75-77.

A quote for foreshadowing is in the prologue in act one, lines 5 and 6; “From forth the fatal loins of these two foes A pair of star-cross’d lovers take their lives”. It means that one of the Montague’s and one of the Capulet’s kids will fall in love and end up dying. It’s foreshadowing the death of Romeo and Juliet, but we don’t yet know who they are.

Another literary element in the play is a pun, an example of it can be found in act 1 scene 4 lines 39-41; Romeo-“…The game was ne’er so fair, and I am done”, Mercutio-“Tut, dun’s the mouse, the constable’s own word. If thou art Dun, we’ll draw thee from the mire”. Mercutio uses this pun to make a play on words, with done and dun he uses the word dun to mean dark.

An oxymoron can be found in act 3 scene 2 lines 75-77; “Beautiful tyrant! Fiend angelical! Dove-feather’d raven! Wolvish ravening lamb! Despised substance of divinest show!”. This is used to show what Juliet thinks of Romeo, she is comparing two very unlike things like Dove and Raven a dove is beautiful and thought to be majestic, where as a raven is thought to be a bad omen and ugly.

These are a few of the many literary elements to be found in Romeo and Juliet. They range from an oxymoron to foreshadowing. The literary elements help people to understand the play somewhat and