Direct characterization is the process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character. Indirect characterization is the process by which the personality of a character is revealed through the character’s speech, actions, appearance, etc. Direct characterization gives the reader characteristics about the character directly while indirect characterization makes the reader think more in depth. All characters have indirect and direct characterization, such as Romeo and Juliet. In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare uses juxtaposition, oxymoron, and paradox to increase the complexity of indirect characterization. Romeo goes from this shallow character to loving Juliet so much that he dies for her. Romeo completely forgets about Rosaline when he lays his eyes on Juliet for the first time at the Capulet Ball: “It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night / Like a rich jewel in an Ethiop’s ear” (1.5.42-45). Romeo instantly falls in love with Juliet and thinks she is a beautiful goddess. Shakespeare contrasts Juliet like a bright jewel with the darkness. In the balcony scene, Romeo is describing to himself how beautiful Juliet is: “as glorious to this night, being o’er my head, / As is a
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Juliet finds out that Romeo has killed Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin: “Beautiful tyrant! fiend angelical! / Dove-feathered raven! wolvish-ravening lamb!”(3.2.75-76). Juliet compares Romeo to a tyrant, angel, raven, and a lamb and is saying how much she loves him but hates him for what he has done at the same time. The Nurse bad mouth talks about Romeo, and Juliet gets extremely defensive: “He was not born to shame. / Upon his brow shame is ashamed to sit…” (3.2.91-92). The use of paradox illustrates Juliet’s adoration for Romeo and that he can not be ashamed of anything. Shakespeare uses juxtapositions and paradoxes to show that Juliet has a few moments of doubt, but in the end, she makes the decision that Romeo is her ideal
Juliet finds out that Romeo has killed Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin: “Beautiful tyrant! fiend angelical! / Dove-feathered raven! wolvish-ravening lamb!”(3.2.75-76). Juliet compares Romeo to a tyrant, angel, raven, and a lamb and is saying how much she loves him but hates him for what he has done at the same time. The Nurse bad mouth talks about Romeo, and Juliet gets extremely defensive: “He was not born to shame. / Upon his brow shame is ashamed to sit…” (3.2.91-92). The use of paradox illustrates Juliet’s adoration for Romeo and that he can not be ashamed of anything. Shakespeare uses juxtapositions and paradoxes to show that Juliet has a few moments of doubt, but in the end, she makes the decision that Romeo is her ideal