Irony in Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare Essay Example

In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare sets the scene in the Middle Ages in Verona, Italy. The young Romeo and Juliet are from opposing families and are star-crossed lovers with a tragic ending. In this play, there is so much irony, including the feud between the Montagues and the Capulets. The feud is ironic because, despite being enemies, they are in many ways similar, and they agree on more things than their own families.

The feud between the Montagues and the Capulets is ironic since the two families are enemies, yet so alike. Despite their differences, the Montagues and Capulets are so similar that Shakespeare himself acknowledges this: “Two households alike in dignity” (Prologue, 1). In the play, it is stated that they are “alike in dignity,” which implies that even though they are enemies, they also share some similarities. The Montague and Capulets are both noble and very wealthy families. Also, both families enjoy their high social standing in Verona. Not only are the Montagues and the Capulets alike in dignity, but they also suggest similar ideas. When Romeo was sad about Rosaline, the girl he liked but didn’t like him back, Benvolio, Romeo’s cousin, said that they should go to the party to look at other girls: “At this same ancient feast of Capulet's, Sups the fair Rosaline whom thou so lovest, With all the admired beauties of Verona:” (I, iii, 82–84). Similarly, Lord Capulet tells Count Paris to look at other girls besides his daughter, Juliet, because he believes she is too young. Lord Capulet then invites him to his party, “Which on more view, of many mines being one, May stand in number, though in reckoning none.” (I, ii, 32-33). Just like Lord Capulet wants Count Paris to do, Benvolio wants Romeo to look at the other girls at the party. Benvolio doesn’t want Romeo to be depressed, and he wants him to get over Rosaline. Lord Capulet wants Count Paris to look at other girls besides his daughter. Both Benvolio and Lord Capulet had the idea of getting their friend to look at other girls instead of being stuck on just one.

Kathryn Buczynski

Mr. Hein

Honors English 1

March 1, 2022

In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare sets the scene in the Middle Ages in Verona, Italy. The young Romeo and Juliet are from opposing families and are star-crossed lovers with a tragic ending. In this play, there is so much irony, including the feud between the Montagues and the Capulets. The feud is ironic because, despite being enemies, they are in many ways similar, and they agree on more things than their own families.

The feud between the Montagues and the Capulets is ironic since the two families are enemies, yet so alike. Despite their differences, the Montagues and Capulets are so similar that Shakespeare himself acknowledges this: “Two households alike in dignity” (Prologue, 1). In the play, it is stated that they are “alike in dignity,” which implies that even though they are enemies, they also share some similarities. The Montague and Capulets are both noble and very wealthy families. Also, both families enjoy their high social standing in Verona. Not only are the Montagues and the Capulets alike in dignity, but they also suggest similar ideas. When Romeo was sad about Rosaline, the girl he liked but didn’t like him back, Benvolio, Romeo’s cousin, said that they should go to the party to look at other girls: “At this same ancient feast of Capulet's, Sups the fair Rosaline whom thou so lovest, With all the admired beauties of Verona:” (I, iii, 82–84). Similarly, Lord Capulet tells Count Paris to look at other girls besides his daughter, Juliet, because he believes she is too young. Lord Capulet then invites him to his party, “Which on more view, of many mines being one, May stand in number, though in reckoning none.” (I, ii, 32-33). Just like Lord Capulet wants Count Paris to do, Benvolio wants Romeo to look at the other girls at the party. Benvolio doesn’t want Romeo to be depressed, and he wants him to get over Rosaline. Lord Capulet wants Count Paris to look at other girls besides his daughter. Both Benvolio and Lord Capulet had the idea of getting their friend to look at other girls instead of being stuck on just one.

In addition to the irony of the feud between the Montagues and the Capulets, both families agree on more things with one another than with their own families. Both the Montagues and the Capulets have similar beliefs. When the Prince threatened the Montagues and Capulets with death if they fought, the two families agreed to stop fighting. During the party, Tybalt wanted to kill Romeo, but Lord Capulet disagreed and replied, “I would not for the wealth of all the town, Here in my house do him disparagement: Therefore be patient, take no note of him: It is my will, which if thou respect” (I, v, 68-71). Lord Capulet, the enemy of the Montagues, normally would not let Romeo stay in the party and would allow Tybalt, a Capulet, to kill him, but in this scene, both the Montagues and the Capulets are unwilling to fight. Similarly, Lord Capulet and Lady Capulet can’t even agree on something for their only daughter. While Lord Capulet believes that Juliet is too young to marry, Lady Capulet argues that she was younger than Juliet when she married, “Well, think of marriage now; younger than you, here in Verona, ladies of esteem, Are made already mothers: by my count, I was your mother much upon these years” (I, iii, 69-72). Ironically, Lord Capulet and Lady Capulet cannot agree on one thing when they are married, whereas the Montagues and Capulets can agree on multiple issues, despite being sworn enemies.