Romeo and juliet

Elizabethan Theatre: Romeo and Juliet

ROMEO, ⸢taking Juliet’s hand⸣

If I profane with my unworthiest hand.  A

This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this: B

My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand A

To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss. B

JULIET

Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much, C

Which mannerly devotion shows in this; B

For saints have hands that pilgrims’ hands do touch, C

And palm to palm is holy palmers’ kiss. B

ROMEO

Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too? D

JULIET

Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer. E

ROMEO

O then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do. F

They pray: grant thou, lest faith turn to despair. G

JULIET

Saints do not move, though grant for prayers’ sake. H

ROMEO

Then move not while my prayer’s effect I take. H

⸢He kisses her⸣.

Thus from my lips, by thine, my sin is purged  I

This excerpt from Romeo and Juliet is an excellent example of the use of rhyme in Elizabethan theater. The dialogue between Romeo and Juliet is written in a poetic form known as iambic pentameter, which consists of ten syllables per line, with every second syllable stressed. This meter was commonly used in Elizabethan plays and added a musical quality to the dialogue.

The use of rhyme in this excerpt serves to emphasize the romantic nature of the exchange between the two characters. The rhyming couplets at the end of each line create a sense of unity between the words spoken by Romeo and Juliet. The rhyme also adds to the play's overall musicality, making it more enjoyable for the audience to listen to.

Moreover, the use of religious imagery in the dialogue is also a common feature of Elizabethan theater. The reference to Juliet as a "holy shrine" and the comparison of their kiss to a "holy palmers’ kiss" are examples of this. Religious imagery was frequently used in Elizabethan theater as it was a significant aspect of everyday life during that era.

In conclusion, this excerpt from Romeo and Juliet demonstrates the use of iambic pentameter, rhyme, and religious imagery, which are all typical features of Elizabethan theater. The musicality of the language, coupled with the religious references, made plays like Romeo and Juliet particularly enjoyable for audiences during that time

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