Introduction
It is hard to disagree that some writers and poets are famous and recognized all around the world, and William Shakespeare is among them. His incredible sonnets and plays not only incorporate brilliant plots and characters but also demonstrate Shakespeare’s abilities to use the language in a unique way. For instance, in his Romeo and Juliet, the playwright uses uncommon contractions, takes words from other languages to expand his unlimited diction, and also makes his characters differ from each other by having varied voices.
Uncommon Contractions
First of all, in Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare actively uses uncommon contractions in order to adhere to the selected rhyme scheme and also add commanding dramatic force. For instance, the following line has a contraction: “How long is’t now since last yourself and I / Were in a mask?” (Shakespeare1.5). Here, one may agree that such an elision (is’t) is very uncommon for the modern English language. It is possible to suggest that Shakespeare used it to follow the meter of iambic pentameter, and an extra syllable ‘it’ would break the verse. Another example from the text is the words said by Capulet: “Look to’t, think on’t, I do not use to jest” (Shakespeare 3.5). Compared with the previous line, the primary purpose of these two contractions is not to maintain the verse. Shakespeare probably wanted Capulet to look so furious and dramatically hurt that he had to shorten his words or even could not pronounce them correctly due to lack of breath after a long tirade.
Words from Other Languages
Another interesting literary device used by the playwright is the inclusion of foreign words. Thus, when Prince Escalus speaks, he uses some foreign words because this is a part of his royal education. “But I’ll amerce you with so strong a fine,” he says, using a French term ‘amerce’ instead of ‘punish’ (Shakespeare 3.1). This is indeed the authors attempt to indicate the character’s background. Further, the line “give me some aqua vitae” may also provide interesting information about the character pronouncing it (Shakespeare 3.2). Juliet’s Nurse knows some Latin phrases, which may mean that she is also well-educated. At the same time, it may also indicate that she simply knows this alternative name of whiskey or strong liquor.
Variance of Voice
Shakespeare manages to portray a difference between Juliet and her father in a brilliant way. Thus, when they have to argue about the young girl’s marriage, Capulet, cannot hold his feelings and adds many angry words, cursing everyone and threatening his daughter: “Or I will drag thee on a hurdle thither,” “Hang thee, young baggage! disobedient wretch!” “hold your tongue, / Good prudence” (Shakespeare 3.5). At the same time, Juliet is calm; she does not allow herself to be angry even though her whole life depends on this conversation (Shakespeare 3.5). Another interesting scene portrays differences between Juliet and her Nurse. Thus, when learning about Romeo’s death, Nurse cannot speak correctly, repeating herself and making errors:
I saw the wound, I saw it with mine eyes,–
God save the mark!–here on his manly breast:
A piteous corse, a bloody piteous corse;
Pale, pale as ashes, all bedaub’d in blood,
All in gore-blood; I swounded at the sight. (Shakespeare 3.2).
Juliet is also emotional, but her speech is more structured and correct:
What storm is this that blows so contrary?
Is Romeo slaughter’d, and is Tybalt dead?
My dear-loved cousin, and my dearer lord? (Shakespeare 3.2).
Therefore, this emotional dialogue between the young girl and her nurse indicates their different background and demonstrate that they do not react to tragic news similarly.
Conclusion
To draw a conclusion, one may say that Shakespeare is indeed a unique playwright that manages to use common and uncommon literary devices to make his plays better. The fact that it is possible to simultaneously enjoy his literary works and learn a number of valuable techniques is magnificent. Finally, Shakespeare’s influence on all people is evident through a vast number of his plays and characters being represented in modern culture.
Work Cited
Shakespeare, William. “Romeo and Juliet.” 1597. Shakespeare. Web.