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Personification in Romeo and Juliet ā€“ Examples, How to Write, PDF, Tips

Personification Examples in Romeo and Juliet

Shakespeareā€™s timeless classic, ā€˜Romeo and Julietā€™, offers more than just a tragic tale of star-crossed lovers. Delving deeper, one finds the Bardā€™s ingenious use of personification, breathing life into inanimate objects, making them as expressive as the protagonists themselves. As we explore these evocative personification examples, letā€™s also uncover how to craft such vivid imagery in our own writing, learning from the master himself. Dive in for a poetic journey interspersed with invaluable writing tips!

Personification in ā€œRomeo and Julietā€ ā€“ Definition

Personification is a literary device where non-human objects or abstract concepts are given human qualities or characteristics. In ā€œRomeo and Juliet,ā€ Shakespeare frequently uses personification to add depth, emotion, and vividness to his descriptions, making the setting and situations even more evocative for the readers or audience.

Example of Personification in the Prologue of ā€œRomeo and Julietā€

In the Prologue of ā€œRomeo and Juliet,ā€ the Chorus says:

ā€œFrom forth the fatal loins of these two foes A pair of star-crossā€™d lovers take their life.ā€

Here, the term ā€œstar-crossā€™dā€ is a form of personification. Stars, of course, do not have the human ability to cross or make decisions, but this expression gives them a human-like quality of controlling or influencing fate. The idea is that the stars (or fate) are against the love of Romeo and Juliet, suggesting that their tragic end was predetermined by the heavens.

Famous Personifications in Romeo and Juliet

Personification Examples in Romeo and Juliet Act
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In ā€œRomeo and Julietā€, Shakespeareā€™s use of personification transforms abstract concepts into vivid imagery, giving life to inanimate objects and intangible emotions, enhancing the emotional depth and setting of the play.

Personification Examples in Romeo and Juliet Act 1:

Scene 1:

ā€œWhen the sun sets, the air doth drizzle dewā€¦ā€
ā€œLove is a smoke raised with the fume of sighsā€¦ā€
ā€œBeing vexed, a sea nourished with loving tears.ā€

Scene 2:

ā€œGriefs of mine own lie heavy in my breastā€¦ā€
ā€œO, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!ā€

Scene 4:

ā€œCupidā€™s arrowā€¦ with unerring aim.ā€

Personification Examples in Romeo and Juliet Act 2

Scene 2 (Balcony Scene):

ā€œArise, fair sun, and kill the envious moonā€¦ā€
ā€œThe brightness of her cheek would shame those starsā€¦ā€
ā€œHer eyes in heaven would through the airy region stream so bright.ā€

Scene 3:

ā€œThe grey-eyed morn smiles on the frowning nightā€¦ā€
ā€œEarth thatā€™s natureā€™s mother is her tomb.ā€

Scene 6:

ā€œThese violent delights have violent ends.ā€

Personification Examples in Romeo and Juliet Act 3

Scene 2:

ā€œGallop apace, you fiery-footed steedsā€¦ā€
ā€œCome, night; come, Romeoā€¦ā€
ā€œLovers can see to do their amorous rites by their own beauties.ā€

Scene 5:

ā€œNightā€™s candles are burnt outā€¦ā€
ā€œJocund day stands tiptoe on the misty mountain tops.ā€

Personification Examples in Romeo and Juliet Act 4

Scene 3:

ā€œMy dismal scene I needs must act alone.ā€
ā€œThe vaulty heaven so high above our heads.ā€

Scene 5:

ā€œDeath lies on her like an untimely frostā€¦ā€
ā€œFlowers are the heads of buried bones.ā€

Personification Examples in Romeo and Juliet Act 5

Scene 1:

ā€œI dreamt my lady came and found me deadā€¦ā€
ā€œSeals of love, but sealed in vain.ā€

Scene 3:

ā€œThou detestable maw, thou womb of deathā€¦ā€
ā€œThe roses in thy lips and cheeks shall fade to wany ashes.ā€
ā€œDeath, that hath sucked the honey of thy breath.ā€

How do you Identify Personification in ā€œRomeo and Julietā€

Understanding Personification: Personification is a literary device where non-human objects, ideas, or animals are given human attributes. In essence, it means attributing human characteristics to things that arenā€™t human.

  1. Familiarize Yourself with the Text:
    • Start by reading ā€œRomeo and Julietā€ thoroughly. Understanding the context is essential when identifying literary devices.
  2. Look for Non-human Entities Displaying Human Traits:
    • Scan the text for instances where inanimate objects, animals, or abstract concepts are described as having human emotions, actions, or characteristics. For example, in the line ā€œThe grey-eyed morn smiles on the frowning nightā€, the morning is given the human ability to smile.
  3. Assess the Purpose:
    • Understanding why Shakespeare used personification can also help in identifying it. Often, itā€™s to evoke a particular emotion or to paint a vivid picture for the reader.

How to Write Personifications like ā€œRomeo and Julietā€ Poem

  1. Study the Original:
    • Dive deep into ā€œRomeo and Julietā€ and other Shakespearean works. Note how Shakespeare uses personification and the impact it creates.
  2. Choose Your Subject:
    • Decide what non-human object or concept you want to personify. It could be anything from the wind to a feeling like love.
  3. Imagine Human Traits:
    • Think about the human emotions or actions that fit best with your chosen subject. How would love ā€œspeakā€ if it could? Would it whisper or shout?
  4. Use Vivid Language:
    • Like Shakespeare, try to use rich, evocative language that paints a clear picture for your readers.
  5. Practice:
    • Write multiple drafts. Refine your work until you feel that the personification effectively conveys the emotion or imagery youā€™re aiming for.

Tips to Writing Personifications in Poems

  1. Start Simple:
    • If youā€™re new to personification, start with straightforward examples. For instance, ā€œThe wind whispered through the treesā€.
  2. Use It Purposefully:
    • Donā€™t just use personification for the sake of it. It should enhance the emotion, mood, or imagery of your poem.
  3. Vary Your Descriptions:
    • Donā€™t limit yourself to just one human trait or action for your chosen subject. The more you experiment, the richer your poem becomes.
  4. Combine with Other Literary Devices:
    • Personification can be even more powerful when combined with other devices like metaphors, similes, or alliteration.
  5. Read Widely:
    • The more poetry you read, especially from masters like Shakespeare, the more examples youā€™ll have of effective personification. This can inspire and improve your own writing.
  6. Feedback is Gold:
    • Share your poems with peers, teachers, or poetry groups. Feedback can help you refine your use of personification and improve your overall poetic technique.

Remember, like any other skill, mastering personification in poetry takes time, patience, and practice. Keep writing, keep refining, and most importantly, enjoy the poetic journey!

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