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Masks and Appearances in Rome and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Decent Essays

The appearance of something is almost always the opposite of what it is in reality. In this time, masks are used everywhere. Masks are used to hide reality and give a different appearance. Appearances can be deceiving and will almost always trick you into thinking something that is not true. Literature, social media, and pop culture show that people will change themselves so they conform to societal expectations. In most literature, masks are used as a device to show appearance instead of reality.
Literature shows that people will change themselves to conform to societal expectations. Romeo and Juliet shows that people will use masks to cover who they really are. Masks are seen in Romeo and Juliet very often. When Romeo is heartbroken over …show more content…

“I feel like the word ‘DIVERGENT’ is branded on my forehead, and if he looks at me long enough, he’ll be able to read it” (164). When Tris gets attacked by some of her fellow initiates, Four gives her advice to stay safe. “‘You think I have to pretend to be vulnerable?’ I ask, raising an eyebrow. ‘Yes, I do’“(285). Lord of the Flies shows that people hide behind masks to liberate themselves of shame. Jack is an excellent example for a character who uses masks to cover his true self. When Jack makes himself a mask made out of mud, he becomes a different person. “He looked in astonishment, no longer at himself but at an awesome stranger” (31). “He capered toward Bill, and the mask was a thing on its own, behind which Jack hid, liberated from shame and self-consciousness” (33). When the boys kill the pig, they are all somewhat horrified that they did it, but Jack makes a joke out of it and puts on a mask. “He giggled and flecked them while the boys laughed at his reeking palms. Then Jack grabbed Maurice and rubbed the stuff over his cheeks” (195). Social media allows people to also use masks.
Social media shows that people will change themselves so they conform to societal expectations. Instagram allows people to be someone other than who they really are. People will post a “who is the prettiest” poll, this gets them popularity and girls will enter highly edited

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