Javed
Misha Javed
Mrs. Fugazzotto
Honors English 1
7 May 2018
Romeo and Juliet Essay
William Shakespeare once quoted, “The power of fate hangs over the lives of all characters, and even controls the gods themselves.” Like every other educated man of his age, Shakespeare had learned about the Greek myths. Accordingly, Shakespeare uses the myths as a writing tool, to fully develop the characters in his own personal story, “Romeo and Juliet.” Back in Shakespeare’s day, people believed in multiple gods with different powers who would help the mere mortals, if they asked. In this lyrical sonnet, their consists of many allusions, or a reference to another piece of literature. In Shakespeare’s literary work, he uses gods to resemble sustained allusions for other characters in the play.
Shakespeare used the god of desire, Cupid to resemble the allusion of love. The reader can assume Shakespeare was in a state of mad love at this time. Towards the beginning of the story, where Romeo is depressed and lovesick, talks about his desire for Rosalyn and admits she will not be hit by Cupid’s arrow, meaning that she will not fall in love, “Well in that hit you miss. She’ll not be hit with by Cupid’s arrow” (Shakespeare, ln 207). Romeo refers to Cupid as to explain how his love works involving Rosalyn, the one he loves.
Romeo is talking about Rosaline’s unwillingness to marry and her desire to stay chaste. Towards the beginning of the play, Romeo also compares Rosaline to Diana, goddess of virtue, who opposed marriage, “hath Dian’s wit” (Shakespeare, lns 217). Romeo refers to Rosaline as Diana since she is not accepting the fact to marry him. This helps to emphasize Romeo’s frustration over Rosalin and shows how desperate he was towards being hers. It also brings out irony since Romeo is going to the party to win Rosalyn, but actually falls in love with Juliet, a Capulet.
Shakespeare uses the allusion of Cupid and Diana to resemble how Rosa...
