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Examples Of Foreshadowing In Romeo And Juliet

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Foreshadowing in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet Throughout Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare uses many examples of foreshadowing to presage what will happen later in the book, which makes the play more interesting to the audience. The most foreshadowed event in the book is that Romeo and Juliet will be each others undoing. Shakespeare has several characters mention a bad feeling they have about a certain situation. Right before entering the Capulet’s party, Romeo pauses and says: “I fear too early, for my mind misgives Some consequence yet hanging in the stars Shall bitterly begin his fearful date With this night’s revels, and expire the term Of a despisèd life closed in my breast By some vile forfeit of untimely death.” (1.4.113-118) He feels as if something at this party will go awry, which is true, because the second he meets Juliet his fate is altered. This tells the audience that this party will start the string of unfortunate events. Also at the party, after Juliet meets Romeo she states that “If he be marrièd, / My grave is like to be my wedding bed.” (1.5.148-149) Although Romeo is not …show more content…

After the fight scene in act 1, the prince says to the crowd of fighters “If ever you disturb our streets again, / Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace.” (1.1.98-98) While he is saying that the next people to interrupt the peace of Verona will be executed, this is foreshadowing that there will be another fight and there will be casualties. These lines tell the audience that this play will be a tragedy, and the lover’s lives will not be the only ones altered in this play. At the Capulet's party, Tybalt threatens Romeo, saying “I will withdraw, but this intrusion shall, / Now seeming sweet, convert to bitt’rest gall.” (1.5.101-103) This foreshadows that Tybalt will seek revenge on Romeo and he does, by killing Mercutio. The next time Romeo and Tybalt meet, they duel, and Romeo kills

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