Category: Writing

How does Shakespeare use metaphor to show Romeos inner thoughts in act 1 scene 4 of Romeo and Juliet?

“…He that hath steerage of my course, direct my sail…”.                                           -comparing himself to a boat captained by god.

In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare uses many different metaphors to show the inner workings of the characters mind. In act 1 scene 4, Romeo talks about a bad dream that he had saying that something bad would begin that night, and it would lead to his “untimely” death.

In this scene, Romeo says “he that hath steerage of my course, direct my sail”. Shakespeare used  this metaphor to present Romeo as a ship by using language like “steerage” , “course” and “sail”, He expressed by using a capital “H” in “He”, that god is the captain of the ship.

In this metaphor, Shakespeare is explaining that Romeo is going to give himself to the path that he believes god has made for him.

LOCATION:A STREET,SATURDAY AFTERNOON
CHARACTERS: CAPULET,PARIS,SERVENT,ROMEO,BENVOLIO

Paris asks capulet if he can marry Juliet(13)his daughter. But capulet says no cause she’s to young then he says if u want her u have to get her to love you first. He gives a list of invites to his party to the servent but the servent can’t read so when he bumps into benvolio and Romeo on the street he asks them to read it for him, not knowing that’s they are Montagues. He then informs them that if they are not montagues then they can come to the party ???? benvolio thinks that this will be a good opportunity for Romeo to find a new lady but Romeo only agrees to go because rosealine will be there.

KEY QUOTEATION:
Tut, you saw her, none else being by, herself pois’d with herself in either eye; but in that crystal scales let their be weigh’d your lady’s love against some other maid

Sampson and Gregory start a fight so the Montague and caplet boys fight then the price comes along and warns them to stop fighting or they will be bannished then benvolio talks to his cousin Romeo about ‘the girl’ because he is really depressed that she doesn’t love him because he loves her. Then benvolio tells Romeo to move on but he can’t because he is in love ❤️