Shakespeare departs from Aristotle's idea about the hero's recognition. In Romeo & Juliet, it is not Romeo who experiences recognition, but other characters in the play. Who are these characters, and when does the recognition occur?
To identify the characters that experience recognition in Romeo and Juliet, we first need to understand what recognition means in Aristotle's context. According to Aristotle's concept of recognition or anagnorisis, it refers to the moment of self-realization or discovery when a character becomes aware of an important truth or understanding about themselves, others, or their situation.
In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare deviates from Aristotle's idea by not having Romeo himself experience a moment of recognition. Instead, other characters go through significant moments of realization. Let's explore these characters and their instances of recognition:
1. Juliet: Juliet experiences multiple moments of recognition throughout the play. One of the most notable ones is when she stands on her balcony and declares her love for Romeo, only to discover he has overheard her. This realization brings about a shift in her perception of love and intensifies her commitment to Romeo.
2. Friar Lawrence: Friar Lawrence, who secretly marries Romeo and Juliet, experiences recognition when he realizes the consequences of his actions and the role his plans play in the tragic outcome of the young lovers. He recognizes the importance of reconciling the feuding families after the death of Romeo and Juliet.
3. Capulet: Juliet's father, Lord Capulet, experiences a moment of recognition when he discovers Juliet's "lifeless" body in the tomb. In this heart-wrenching scene, he realizes the devastating effects of the family feud and how it has led to the death of his own daughter.
These instances of recognition in Romeo and Juliet showcase Shakespeare's departure from Aristotle's belief that the hero should experience the moments of realization. Shakespeare instead disperses these revelations among various characters to highlight the tragic consequences of their actions and the interconnectedness of their fates.
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