Literary Elements In Romeo And Juliet

Romeo and Juliet has been performed in 24 different countries within the last 10 years. This shows that Shakespeare's play is still a timeless classic even though it was written in 1595. William Shakespeare uses 3 important literary terms in his play Romeo and Juliet to help keep the play interesting and relatable for people of all time eras: suspense, character motive, and dramatic irony.
The first device that is introduced in Romeo and Juliet is suspense, this element immediately draws in an audience with excitement and makes them anxious. The first scene opens up with the Capulet and Montague families fighting. Obviously, this is a very catchy way to start a story, this scene helps add suspense for when it is revealed that the Montague boys are planning to crash the Capulet’s party. The audience isn’t certain how the situation will
It is ironic because the audience is aware that Juliet isn’t truly dead, only under the effects of an herbal solution given to her by the Friar. Romeo says, “A dateless bargain to engrossing death! Come, bitter conduct; come, unsavory guide! Thou desperate pilot, now at once run on The dashing rocks thy seasick weary bark! Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die.” (A5.S3.L115-120). This is evidence that Romeo has killed himself, and later on Juliet is so upset over his horrific death and the misunderstanding that she too, kills herself. Shakespeare uses dramatic irony to draw in his audience to complete the idea of his tragedy.
Romeo and Juliet is timeless and interesting, because of Shakespeare’s use of suspense, character motive, and dramatic irony. This play has been performed for 412 years, and I believe that it will be performed for another 412 years. Romeo and Juliet may have died as characters but the play Romeo and Juliet will never