Romeo and Juliet Duality Analysis Essay Example

The tragedy of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare displays many scenes of duality through many characters.  These scenes shape the tragedy in both negative and positive ways.   The first example of duality is when nurse comes with the news to Juliet that Romeo wants to marry her.  Nurse arrives back at the Capulet house and tells Juliet ¨Then hie you hence to Friar Lawrence cell.  There stays a husband to make you a wife¨(Act 2. SC.6. 73-75).  On the positive side, two lovers are getting married, on the other hand, this marriage will add more fuel to the already dangerously fiery standoff between the Montagues and Capulets.  This will add more fuel because now Juliet can not get married to Paris.   Another example of duality is when Romeo kills Tybalt.  He decides to kill Tybalt out of rage for killing his best friend, Mercutio.  Romeo says ¨Either thou or I, or both, must go with him¨(Act 3. SC.1. 134).  This quote indicates that Romeo knew one of them must join Mercutio in death, which ended up being Tybalt.  This scene affected the book tremendously in many ways.  Positively, Romeo got revenge for the death of his best friend.  But, in this scene, the negative heavily out weight the positive.  The killing of Tybalt added even more fuel to a hostile fight between the Montagues and Capulets, this poor decision will also lead to the banishment of Romeo from Verona, and arguably this decision by Romeo is what led to his death.  Finally, another way that duality is shown in this tragedy is in the plan made between Romeo, Juliet, and Friar Lawrence.  The Friar tells her to ¨take thou this vial, being then in bed, and this distilling liquor drink thou off; when presently through all thy veins shall run a cold and drowsy humor; for no pulse Shall keep his native progress, but surcease¨ (Act 4. SC.1. 95-99).  Basically,  On the night before her marriage, Juliet takes a potion made by the Friar that will kill her but only for a few days.  This is so she won't have to marry Paris.  Once Juliet wakes up again she will meet Romeo in Mantua where they will live happily ever after.  Unfortunately, this is a tragedy so it can not end well.  On a positive note, this could go to plan and Juliet and Romeo can happily live together in Mantua.  But, on a negative note, this plan could end in disaster resulting in the death of Romeo and Juliet.  In conclusion, the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare shows many scenes of duality that shape the characters of the tragedy and effects the plot of the tragedy.