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Impact of Stylistic Devices: A Case Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet

In literary works such as poems, songs and books, artists use language in various ways

with the aim of appealing to their audiences and to develop and advance themes of their works,

and for developing characterization. Some of the common features of language include creative

metaphors, figurative language, beautiful phrase, elegant syntax, rhymes, and aesthetic

alliterations. In his book, Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare use stylistic devices to

accomplish various objectives including developing characters and projecting themes to his

audience. Shakespeare uses many types of figurative language, including metaphor, simile, and

personification to achieve multiple objectives, including building characterization.

Firstly, the novel , “Romeo and Juliet”, is filled metaphorical phrases and sentence and

scenes aimed at appealing to the audience and keeping the readers interested. Recognizing the

use of figurative language in the story helps the readers to understand and relate to what the

characters are saying and ,more so, the underlying themes. One specific instance in which

metaphors has been used extensively to the extent that characterization in novel is enhanced is

the famous balcony scene. The scene is overwhelming with in-depth figurative language. For

instance, in the scene, Romeo begins by using the sun as a metaphor for his beloved Juliet as

show in the following excerpt.

“It is the East, and Juliet is the Sun!

Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven,

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Having some business, do entreat her eyes

To twinkle in their spheres till they return.

(Romeo, II,ii,3,15-17) It is the East, and Juliet is the Sun!

Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven,

Having some business, do entreat her eyes

To twinkle in their spheres till they return.”

(Romeo, II,ii,3,15-17)

It shows how Romeo broadens and added depth to his writing with the aim of enhancing

characterization in the play. The metaphor successfully builds Romeo, one of the protagonists in

the play, to the extent that readers can clearly create a picture about him and also can relate and

embody his role in the play.

Shakespeare further enhanced figurative language by using personification to advance

themes such as beauty and love. The use of personification also allows for the readers to relate

with the roles of the characters in the play. In one of the scenes, Shakespeare creates for the

readers or his audience the idea that the moon is a woman who is “sick and pale with grief,”. It

builds the characterization in the play, especially considering its underlying implication or

meaning. The following excerpt shows how personification allows Shakespeare to deepen

reader’s understanding of Juliet’s beauty.

“It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.

Arise fair sun and kill the envious moon

Who is already sick and pale with grief

That thou her maid art far fairer than she.” (2.2.3–6)

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The famous balcony scene also entails the use of simile to delve deeply into the themes of

the love and invoke a sense or connection or emotional appeal with the audience. The use of

figurative language allows the audience to relate with Juliet profound affection and love for

Romeo. Toward the end of the balcony scene, Juliet attempts to tell Romeo how much she loves

him. She uses the sea as a simile to help him understand and perceive how much she loved him.

The following excerpt shows how Juliet uses the simile.

“My bounty is as boundless as the sea,

My love as deep; the more I give to thee,

The more I have, for both are infinite.” (2.2.133–136)

Another scene that demonstrates how Shakespeare uses the figurative language of similes

is during scene two of the play when Romeo shows how he loved Juliet.

“O, speak again, bright angel, for thou art

As glorious to this night, being o’er my head,

As is a wingèd messenger of heaven”(II. ii. 29-31)

This excerpt is a sentimental simile that deepens the reader’s connection and emotional appeal

with the play. Shakespeare successfully uses simile to highlight Romeo’s profound admiration

and affection for Juliet. Romeo literally equates Juliet’s beauty with brightness that can light up

the night with her bright presence. Arguably, it denotes an unspeakable beauty which can only

be achieved through appreciation of the beauty of nature. Shakespeare successfully achieves

passionate, romantic and poetical aspect of Romeo’s characterization.

Overall, William Shakespeare uses stylistic devices to accomplish various objectives

including developing characters and projecting themes to his audience. Shakespeare uses

many types of figurative language, including metaphor, simile, and personification to achieve
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multiple objectives, including building characterization. His book “Romeo and Juliet”, is filled

with metaphorical phrases, sentence and scenes aimed at appealing to the audience and

keeping the readers interested. One specific instance in which metaphors has been used

extensively to the extent that characterization in novel is enhanced is the famous balcony

scene. Recognizing the use of figurative language in the story helps the readers to

understand and relate to what the characters are saying and ,more so, the underlying themes.
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Work Cited

Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. Vol. 1. Classic Books Company, 2000.