Romeo & Juliet Written by William Shakespeare

The play Romeo & Juliet written by William Shakespeare, focuses on the romantic tragedy between the two lead characters. The background of the story is the long-standing feud between two families of the Italian town Verona, the Capulet’s and the Montague’s. It is through the fatal flaws of characters, a passionate love between two people and an ancient rivalry that all contribute to making the story of Romeo and Juliet, a romantic tragedy. Shakespeare’s use of language to create meaning intensifies the moment and gives the audience a more deeper and broader knowledge of the story.

Throughout the play Romeo’s characteristics are always highlighted as noble and dignified. Romeo is a passionate, extreme, excitable, intelligent, and a moody young man, well-liked and admired throughout Verona. He is loyal to his friends, but his behavior is somewhat unpredictable. However, as the play begins to develop in storyline, we are shown that through rash decision-making and significant incidents, that Romeo’s characteristics begin to fall and are not so noble. Even his biggest enemy, Capulet, speaks highly of him, “And, to say truth, Verona brags of him”. Yet Romeo brings down the high acknowledgement everybody gives him in his sudden acts of rage.

As the story continues on, the noble characteristics withdraw completely and leave Romeo an out of control man. These rash decisions affect the way Romeo is portrayed as a character and lead the audience to think �if only’ and �what if’ the outcome could have ended up differently. As Romeo is consumed by love, passion and rage this clouds his judgment and altars his character significantly. Shakespeare uses the technique of characterization very strongly to reinforce to the audience that the play Romeo and Juliet is indeed, a romantic tragedy.

The attraction and passionate love between Romeo and Juliet is immediate and overwhelming, and neither of the young lovers comments on or pretends to understand its cause. Each mentions the other’s beauty, but it seems that destiny, rather than any particular character trait, has drawn them together.” Yet I should kill thee with much cherishing”. Their love for one another is so undeniable that neither they nor the audience feel the need to question or explain it.

Shakespeare uses the language technique of foreshadowing to give insight to the fateful endings of Romeo and Juliet. “My grave is like to be my wedding bed”. In many occasions both Romeo and Juliet foreshadow their deaths, as they would rather die together, than live apart. This technique builds the romantic tragedy theme throughout the play. “Methinks I see thee, now thou art so low, as one dead in the bottom of a tomb”.

Shakespeare has deliberately highlighted the fatal flaws in Romeo’s character as a means of presenting this play as a romantic tragedy. Romeo's fatal flaw is his impetuous nature. Romeo's blind passion for Juliet causes not only his death, but also the death of others due to his impulsive actions and unwillingness to