In Romeo and Juliet, why did Romeo choose poison instead of a dagger on himself when he found out that Juilet was "dead"?
I can figure out that money was what poisoned the Capulets and Montagues. So he would like to buy poison from the apothecary even if it was illegal. But I can't figure out why he did not choose a dagger instead of poison.
Thank you.
Because with poison is like to sleep with juliet forever without being hurt just die with her and be with her together. But with the dagger he will get hurt and that's not his goal his goal is to be with her forever.
He did use the dagger
He tried to drink the poison becuase he wanted to die the same way Juliet did
(To Sarah: Are you sure you aren't mixing up Romeo and Juliet? Juliet was the one who used Romeo's dagger on herself, when should could not find any poison on the vial or Romeo's lips.)
When Romeo learns of Juliet's "death" (Act 5 Scene 1), he plans to be join her and goes to an apothecary to buy poison.
The question I have is why did he choose to use poison on HIMSELF rather than a dagger, to join Juliet?
Ie. What was Shakespeare's intent on making Romeo use poison rather than a dagger to ?
In Romeo and Juliet, Romeo's decision to choose poison instead of a dagger when he discovered that Juliet was supposedly dead can be understood by analyzing his state of mind and motivations in that moment.
Romeo's choice to use poison reflects his desire for a quick and painless death, as opposed to stabbing himself with a dagger. Let's break down his thought process:
1. Emotional turmoil: Romeo is devastated by the news of Juliet's death. His emotions are running high, and he is convinced that life is no longer worth living without her.
2. Desire for a peaceful death: Romeo yearns for a peaceful release from his sufferings, rather than a violent and agonizing death. He seeks a method that would allow him to slip away painlessly.
3. Symbolic connection: Poison holds a symbolic significance throughout the play. It represents the toxicity of the feud between the Capulets and Montagues that directly or indirectly caused the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. By choosing poison, Romeo aligns his fate with the poisoned influence of their families' enmity.
4. Rejection of violence: Romeo's decision to use poison over a dagger can also be seen as a rejection of violence. While both methods would result in his death, poison allows him to distance himself from the physical act of harming oneself.
5. Dramatic irony: The playwright, William Shakespeare, uses dramatic irony to heighten the tragedy. The audience knows that Juliet is not actually dead, but Romeo does not. This dramatic irony adds to the tragedy of the scene, as the audience is aware of the misunderstanding while Romeo believes he is making a final, irreversible sacrifice.
Therefore, Romeo's choice of poison rather than a dagger in Romeo and Juliet can be attributed to his desire for a peaceful death, the symbolic significance of poison throughout the play, and his rejection of violence.