First, Shakespeare illustrates social class and elaborates character through descriptions. Descriptions include names and titles of characters and actions of characters. Firstly, names advance character complexity. The names of some characters bear significance to their character. Specifically, the names of Mercutio, Romeo and Benvolio assume profound merit. The name "Mercutio" broadens Mercutio's character. Mercutio amalgamates a form of mercurial, which means "quick-changing". Mercutio's personality complements his name because he exhibits capriciousness. He especially portrays an unpredictable character with his Queen Mab monologue (I.iv.58-100). Romeo shows Mercutio's Queen Mab monologue personifies a frivolous banter by remarking, "Peace,
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For example, characters address the members of the families of the Capulets and Montagues as "lords" or "ladies", appellations for people of significance and power. The Nurse, for example, exclaims to Romeo, “My lord, I’ll tell my lady you will come” (III.iii.171). These titles show that the Capulets and Montagues inhabit the upper level of society. Friar Lawrence and Friar John are entitled "friars", which signify that they demonstrate religious lives. The Nurse displays this when she asks Friar Lawrence, “O holy friar, O, tell me, holy friar, / Where’s my lady’s lord? Where’s Romeo?” (III.iii.88-89). In this time period, being of clergy meant knowledge, high social stature and prestige. Furthermore, Escalus and Paris come from the royal class because of their titles "prince" and "count". Benvolio displays this air of superiority when he addresses the Prince saying, “O noble prince, I can discover all” (III.i.150). The royal rank symbolizes preeminence and authority. The citizens of Verona show submission to the royalty, as seen when all citizens obey the Prince when he commands them to stop fighting or else they would die (I.i).
Thirdly, the actions of the characters develop social class and reveal character. First, Juliet's wedding with Paris shows that the Capulets exemplify high-class characteristics. The fact that Paris wants Juliet to be his wife shows that the Capulets are worthy of marriage with nobility (I.ii). This means that the Capulets must upper-class citizens for a count to want marriage. In addition, Tybalt displays the upper-class qualities of the Capulets with his sword fighting skills. Mercutio and Benvolio’s banter about Tybalt reveals Tybalt’s expertise with the
For example, characters address the members of the families of the Capulets and Montagues as "lords" or "ladies", appellations for people of significance and power. The Nurse, for example, exclaims to Romeo, “My lord, I’ll tell my lady you will come” (III.iii.171). These titles show that the Capulets and Montagues inhabit the upper level of society. Friar Lawrence and Friar John are entitled "friars", which signify that they demonstrate religious lives. The Nurse displays this when she asks Friar Lawrence, “O holy friar, O, tell me, holy friar, / Where’s my lady’s lord? Where’s Romeo?” (III.iii.88-89). In this time period, being of clergy meant knowledge, high social stature and prestige. Furthermore, Escalus and Paris come from the royal class because of their titles "prince" and "count". Benvolio displays this air of superiority when he addresses the Prince saying, “O noble prince, I can discover all” (III.i.150). The royal rank symbolizes preeminence and authority. The citizens of Verona show submission to the royalty, as seen when all citizens obey the Prince when he commands them to stop fighting or else they would die (I.i).
Thirdly, the actions of the characters develop social class and reveal character. First, Juliet's wedding with Paris shows that the Capulets exemplify high-class characteristics. The fact that Paris wants Juliet to be his wife shows that the Capulets are worthy of marriage with nobility (I.ii). This means that the Capulets must upper-class citizens for a count to want marriage. In addition, Tybalt displays the upper-class qualities of the Capulets with his sword fighting skills. Mercutio and Benvolio’s banter about Tybalt reveals Tybalt’s expertise with the