Shakespeares work contains a very large amount of figurative language. Here are some examples of it in Romeo and Juliet.

 

 

Examples of a Metaphor in Romeo and Juliet. Benvolio says “At this same ancient feast of Capulet's Sups the fair Rosaline whom thou so lovest, With all the admired beauties of Verona: Go thither; and, with unattainted eye, Compare her face with some that I shall show, And I will make thee think thy swan a crow.” Which he is comparing Rosaline to a crow and a swan. Benvolio is saying that even though Rosaline is a swan, Romeo needs to look at other girls. That when he does look at other girls that he will see Rosaline as ugly crow.

 

Lady Capulet says “And what obscured in this fair volume lies Find written in the margent of his eyes. This precious book of love, this unbound lover, To beautify him, only lacks a cover: The fish lives in the sea, and 'tis much pride For fair without the fair within to hide: That book in many's eyes doth share the glory, That in gold clasps locks in the golden story; So shall you share all that he doth possess, By having him, making yourself no less.” Which she is comparing a women to a wrapper for an object.

 

Mercutio says “Drums in his ear, at which he starts and wakes, And being thus frighted swears a prayer or two And sleeps again. This is that very Mab That plats the manes of horses in the night, And bakes the elflocks in foul sluttish hairs, Which once untangled, much misfortune bodes: This is the hag, when maids lie on their backs, That presses them and learns them first to bear, Making them women of good carriage:” Which he is comparing pulling a horse out of the mud and pulling Romeo out of his funk. Which is hard because Romeo has a heavy heart.

 

Examples of Similes in Romeo and Juliet. Romeo says “Is love a tender thing? it is too rough,

too rude, too boisterous, and it pricks like thorn.” Which he says Love is like a Thorn.

 

Romeo also says “It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night Like a rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear” Which he is saying how beautiful she is.

 

Romeo says “A thousand times the worse, to want thy light. Love goes toward love, as schoolboys from their books, But love from love, toward school with heavy looks” Which means that two people are in love and drawn to each other like schoolboys are drawn to their studies.

 

Examples of Personification in Romeo and Juliet. The Friar says “The grey-eyed morn smiles on the frowning night, Chequering the eastern clouds with streaks of light” Which the morning can’t smile.

 

The Friar also says, “Care keeps his watch in every old man's eye, And where care lodges, sleep will never lie;” Which means ability to use the eyes, and fill with a place to reside.

 

Juliet says “Come, cords, come, nurse; I'll to my wedding-bed; And death, not Romeo, take my maidenhead!” Which Juliet is asking death to take her virginity.

 

Examples of Irony in Romeo and Juliet. Is at the end of the play when Romeo thinks that Juliet is dead, but she is not and the audience knows that Juliet isn’t dead and Romeo doesn’t.

Romeo tries to stop Mercutio and tybalt from fighting, but ends up getting Mercutio killed in the end.

 

When Lady Capulet thinks Juliet is crying over Tybalt dying, but is actual crying over the banishment of Romeo.