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Jonathan Solichin
Ms.Barbour
26 May 2008
In the the play Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare, literary devices are used to
convey Romeo and Juliet's feeling for each other. In Act 2 scene 2, many examples of
his intricate uses of literary devices can be clearly seen. Ranging from allusions to
detail and literary devices allows the play to come alive in many different aspects and
interpretation.
how Romeo perceive Juliet as amazing as gods in Greek mythology. In one of Romeo's
(2.2.31). This interesting imagery and allusion shows how Romeo feels Juliet is as
glorious as an angel and is like Hermes, the winged messenger in Greek mythology. In
one Homeric hymn, Hermes is described as “the bringer of dreams” which is what Juliet
is to Romeo. Later Romeo replies to Juliet “With love's light wing” which is a
personification and an allusion to Cupid, the god of love in Greek mythology (2.2.71). In
this quote, Romeo tells Juliet that with Cupid's help he was able to be with her because
Cupid had made him fall in love with her. It also personifies how Romeo's feeling of love
toward Juliet made him feel like he is on air, like he has wings and that he can fly.
Solichin
Shakespeare also uses literary devices based on nature such as metaphor and
allegory to show how Juliet thinks that Romeo's love is ever changing and
unpredictable, just like nature. When Romeo tells Juliet that his love for her will be
sworn by the moon, she replies “O, swear not by the moon, th' inconstant moon”
(2.2.114). This allegory symbolizes how Romeo's love seems to always change and is
never still. Juliet knows that Romeo isn't very rash and she wants to make sure that
Romeo's love for her is not just an infatuation. Later in the conversation, she also
declares to him that his love is “too rash, too unadvised, too sudden, / Too like the
lightning, which doth cease to be” (2.2.125-126). This metaphor shows how Juliet is
rational which contrast Romeo's rashness. Juliet is very careful and wants Romeo to
change from his norm and be more rational so that he will stay longer unlike lightning
There are many literary devices in this scene, and for each there are many
to allegory and metaphor. The details Shakespeare had laid in the story is what makes it
complex and realistic. Of course, the best thing is, there is no right answer. The
meaning of the play, is defined by the audience; and to each, their own.