How does Shakespeare use dramatic irony to engage his audience in Romeo and Juliet?
the last scene when Juliet pretends to be dead & then Romeo drinks poison
I need to write an essay. i have got some points but i don't know how to write them in a point,evidence, explain paragraph.
1- When Romeo and Juliet meet – identity
2- Friar Lawrence – violent passions/violent ends
3- Juliet gets married to Romeo – patriarchal society
4- When Tybalt and Romeo fight – wedding
5- When Juliet has to marry Paris – already married
6- Romeo not getting the letter to tell him about Juliet’s fake death
7- When Romeo kills himself – Juliet wakes up
8- The death of Romeo and Juliet – causes the feud to end
If you use your points, you'll end up just re-telling the entire story. What you NEED to do is to focus on two or three passages which demonstrate dramatic irony.
http://www.google.com/search?q=dramatic+irony+definition&oq=dramatic+irony+definition&aqs=chrome..69i57.4923j0j7&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=119&ie=UTF-8
http://www.google.com/search?q=irony+in+romeo+and+juliet&oq=irony+in+romeo+and+juliet&aqs=chrome..69i57.6755j0j7&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=119&ie=UTF-8
To understand how Shakespeare uses dramatic irony in Romeo and Juliet, we first need to grasp the concept of dramatic irony itself. Dramatic irony occurs when the audience possesses knowledge or understanding that the characters do not. This creates a sense of tension and anticipation as the audience watches events unfold.
In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare masterfully utilizes dramatic irony to engage his audience in multiple ways:
1. Verbal Irony: Shakespeare employs verbal irony through the characters' dialogue. For example, when Juliet says, "Give me Romeo, and when he shall die, take him and cut him out in little stars," the audience knows Juliet is unaware that Romeo has just taken poison and is about to die. The audience's awareness of the impending tragedy intensifies the emotional impact of the scene.
2. Situation Irony: Shakespeare also employs situation irony to engage the audience. For instance, when Friar Laurence devises a plan for Juliet to fake her death by drinking a potion, the audience knows she is not actually dead, but Romeo is unaware of this fact. This leads to a tragic and ironic outcome when Romeo believes Juliet is truly dead and takes his own life. The audience's knowledge of the situation adds depth to the tragedy unfolding on stage.
3. Character Irony: Shakespeare uses character irony to engage the audience by highlighting the contrast between a character's understanding and the audience's knowledge. An example of this is in Mercutio's death scene when he states, "Ask for me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man." This line is ironic because Mercutio is unaware that he will indeed be dead by tomorrow. The audience's knowledge creates a sense of tension and anticipation, as they await the tragic irony that will unfold.
To fully appreciate Shakespeare's use of dramatic irony in Romeo and Juliet, it is essential for the audience to pay close attention to the dialogue, analyze the characters' beliefs and actions, and be aware of the overall plot development. By actively engaging with the play and understanding the nuances of dramatic irony, the audience can fully grasp and appreciate the emotional impact of the story.