The tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare, is the tale of two star-crossed lovers and how their love had ended in a tragic way. This story is most often seen as a tragedy, because of the title and because the two lovers had killed themselves over each other. The aspects people overlook is the fact that Romeo and Juliet is truly a comedy rather than a tragedy. This story can be seen as a comedy because of Mercutio’s character, Paris, and the sense of humor within the play. Bringing comic relief and levity to even the most serious of situations, Mercutio adds a sense of comedy into the play, Paris is one of many characters that transitions this story into a comedy, and the adult humor within the text adds a sense of humor within
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Rather than serve as a genuine adversary, he is depicted as a dolt and easy target for the audience to laugh at. One example would be when Paris is talking to Juliet’s father, “Younger than she are happy mothers made.” This example is seen as something comedic because he wants to marry Juliet and make her a mother while she is still 13 years old. He moves so fast into a relationship when he may not have even met her yet. Another example of Paris turning this story into the complete opposite would be, “That “may be” must be love on Thursday next.” By stating this Paris means that by Thursday, she will fall in love with him once they are married. “Thy face is mine, and thou hast slandered it,” this statement shows a side of comedy because Juliet has cried so much that she has “slandered” her face. Paris also adds that he owns her face and he continues to claim her as his …show more content…
One example of adult humor would be when the nurse is talking to Juliet, she says, “But you shall bear the burden soon at night.” What is meant by this is the intercourse during the wedding night which will give her a burden to bear. Another example would be on page 743 when the Nurse tells Juliet “Hie you to church. I must another way, To fetch a ladder, by the which your love Must climb a bird's nest soon when it is dark. I am the drudge and toil in your delight, But you shall bear the burden soon at night.” The nurse states this because she is telling Juliet what she will do to help Juliet and her lover have intercourse but Juliet will bear the burden of what is going to happen after Romeo is up the ladder.
In conclusion, Romeo and Juliet should not be seen as a tragedy, but as a comedy due to the comical characters, such as Paris and Mercutio. And it is also because of the hidden adult sense of
Rather than serve as a genuine adversary, he is depicted as a dolt and easy target for the audience to laugh at. One example would be when Paris is talking to Juliet’s father, “Younger than she are happy mothers made.” This example is seen as something comedic because he wants to marry Juliet and make her a mother while she is still 13 years old. He moves so fast into a relationship when he may not have even met her yet. Another example of Paris turning this story into the complete opposite would be, “That “may be” must be love on Thursday next.” By stating this Paris means that by Thursday, she will fall in love with him once they are married. “Thy face is mine, and thou hast slandered it,” this statement shows a side of comedy because Juliet has cried so much that she has “slandered” her face. Paris also adds that he owns her face and he continues to claim her as his …show more content…
One example of adult humor would be when the nurse is talking to Juliet, she says, “But you shall bear the burden soon at night.” What is meant by this is the intercourse during the wedding night which will give her a burden to bear. Another example would be on page 743 when the Nurse tells Juliet “Hie you to church. I must another way, To fetch a ladder, by the which your love Must climb a bird's nest soon when it is dark. I am the drudge and toil in your delight, But you shall bear the burden soon at night.” The nurse states this because she is telling Juliet what she will do to help Juliet and her lover have intercourse but Juliet will bear the burden of what is going to happen after Romeo is up the ladder.
In conclusion, Romeo and Juliet should not be seen as a tragedy, but as a comedy due to the comical characters, such as Paris and Mercutio. And it is also because of the hidden adult sense of