the ape is dead Romeo is described as a performing monkey who is playing dead and will not respond to Mercutio’s conjuration. aqua vitae alcoholic spirits. artificial night Romeo’s behavior is unnatural (artificial). As Phaeton . . . immediately Phaeton, the son of Apollo, was allowed to drive the chariot […]

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A groundbreaking film, in that it was the first to have teenagers cast in the title roles. Beautifully shot in Italy, its use of language and imagery captures the essence of the original work. However, the soundtrack is a little cheesy, and the movie features some wacky costume designs. Romeo […]

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“O! I am Fortune’s fool!” (3.1.133) What does it mean? After Tybalt and Mercutio die, Benvolio tells Romeo that Prince Paris will probably doom him to death if he’s caught. Romeo calls himself Fortune’s fool. Romeo is discreetly referencing the prologue, where the audience learns that Romeo and Juliet are […]

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Shakespeare’s audience referred to going to hear a play rather than see it, emphasizing that the Elizabethan theater was an aural rather than visual experience. On stage, the characters described the setting in their speeches. The actor’s words had to convey all necessary information about plot, characters, and setting because […]

Read more Critical Essays Analysis of Setting in the Opening Scenes of Luhrmann’s Film, Romeo + Juliet

Mercutio, Romeo’s quick-tempered, witty friend, links the comic and violent action of the play. He is initially presented as a playful rogue who possesses both a brilliant comic capacity and an opportunistic, galvanized approach to love. Later, Mercutio’s death functions as a turning point for the action of the play. […]

Read more Critical Essays The Role of Comic Characters in a Tragedy

Light and Darkness One of the most often repeated image patterns in the play involves the interplay of light and darkness. The integration of the language indicates an important motif overall. Romeo compares Juliet to light throughout the play. Upon first sight of her, Romeo exclaims that she teaches “the […]

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Fate From the beginning, we know that the story of Romeo and Juliet will end in tragedy. We also know that their tragic ends will not result from their own personal defects but from fate, which has marked them for sorrow. Emphasizing fate’s control over their destinies, the Prologue tells […]

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William Shakespeare was born on April 23, 1564, in Stratford-upon-Avon in England. His baptism occurred on Wednesday, April 26, 1564 (this is in keeping with the usual Elizabethan practice of baptizing children three days after their birth). His father was John Shakespeare, tanner, glover, dealer in grain, and town official […]

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In their isolation, Romeo and Juliet turn to the Friar who can offer neutral advice. At first, the Friar can’t believe how quickly Romeo has abandoned Rosaline and fallen in love with Juliet, so he reminds Romeo of the suddenness of his decisions. The Friar uses the formal language of […]

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Mercutio is an anti-romantic character who, like Juliet’s Nurse, regards love as an exclusively physical pursuit. He advocates an adversarial concept of love that contrasts sharply with Romeo’s idealized notion of romantic union. In Act I, Scene 4, when Romeo describes his love for Rosaline using the image of love […]

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