Romeo and Julliet

For never was a story of more woe Than this of Juliet and her Romeo. A (Romeo and Juliet V, III, ll. 309-310)

The much acclaimed tragedy Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare is immortalized

as an archetype of true love. It tells the tale of two ‘star crossed lovers' who are involuntarily

caught between an ‘ancient grudge' of their two rival households. Blinded by their ‘death-

mark'd love', they attempt to defy fate and overcome the ‘new mutiny', which only results in

their ‘untimely deaths'. Even though countless believe that Romeo and Juliet is a love story

for the ages, the play also embraces the violence, hate and the continuous conflict between

rival forces; such as the Montague and Capulet households. To portray the opposing

perspectives throughout the play, William Shakespeare explores different literary devices

like symbolism, contrasting characters and patterns of imagery such as heaven and hell.

What, drawn and talk of peace? I hate the word, As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee. A (I, I, ll. 64-65)

At the very beginning of the play Shakespeare uses hell imagery to illustrate the ‘civil brawl'

between the feuding families, Capulet and Montague. Comparisons with hell are used by

Shakespeare to reinforce the tension between the rebellious households, and to help his

audience understand the extent of their burning grudge, and the consequence that is death.

This makes it evident that words associated with hell are used to invoke an image of

‘pernicious rage', destruction, and hatred. However, in contrast heaven imagery

communicates the message of the very opposite.

Two fairest stars in all the heaven, Having some business, do entreat her eyes. A (II, II, ll. 15-16)

Amongst the hell created by the vicious families, Shakespeare's audience is given a glimpse of

hope, light and heaven as the two naïve lovers meet at the masquerade ball. Fresh in the

throes of young love, they use breathtaking images of heaven to describe one another.

It becomes clear that imagery of heaven is used to portray their youthful outlook on love,

joy and peace. In the end, even though the innocent blood of Romeo and Juliet is shed, it

could be said that the young couple fulfilled their wish of being together may it be in heaven

or hell. For that is where they find the true wonders of love, happiness and heaven. In

Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet, the images of hell reinforce the endless conflict

between the opposing forces, while images of heaven captures the sacred quality of the

lovers innocent love.

According to many religious beliefs hell is considered a place of affliction during the

afterlife where the unrighteous souls are destined to a life of anguish. Shakespeare expertly

disguises the concept of hell in many forms. He explores diction relating to hell (which is

especially effective when considering his audience for it was a time predominantly

influenced by preaching's of sin, and hell) most often when describing the bloodshed and

destruction born of the two raging households.

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