comparison between a passage of Macbeth and that of Romeo and Juliet
The passages that I chose from Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet serve as a contrast to each other, in terms of the atmosphere, language, images, symbols and the dramatic interpretations. Both are in blank verse, though the language (words) used in these passages bring out contrasting ideas. Both passages are a juxtaposition of extremes: Romeo's extreme love for Juliet and Tybalt's extreme hatred for the Montagues and the waking world of reality and the unnatural world of evil intermingle in the paranoid hallucinations in the insomnia of Macbeth. The atmosphere in Macbeth (the passage chosen, that is) is very tensed. The punctuation used in the dialogue between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth shows the level of tension they are in. The rhythm at this point is rather curt. This has been produced by staccato (quick-fire) dialogue between the performers, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth when they show their tension by rapid, almost monosyllabic of question and answer: Macbeth: I have done the deed. Didst thou not hear a noise? Lady Macbeth: I heard the owl scream, and the crickets cry. The atmosphere in Romeo and Juliet, on the other hand, is very rom
------------------------------------------------------------------------ When Romeo first sets eyes on Juliet, he remarks: Light and dark show up frequently in Romeo and Juliet. It is a central part of their love that important love scenes take place in the dark. In Macbeth, on the other hand, it is at night (dark), that evil takes place - murder of Duncan. Romeo: If I profane with my unworthiest hand The irony of speech is also prevalent in Romeo and Juliet. Both Romeo and Juliet make prophetic statements in the passage chosen that inform the audience of the outcome as well: 'if he be married/ My grave is like to be my wedding bed.' And palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss. Shakespeare's use of lyric forms - his use of love sonnet conventions enabled the performers to characterise the moment and the relationship between themselves as lovers. Romeo's use of language moves from figurative excesses aimed at capturing the attention of his listeners to an altogether higher level in which he, starting with the sublime expression, of 'she hangs upon the cheek of night/ As a rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear.'
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1403
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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