Question

How does Shakespeare use literary devices in Juliet’s soliloquy to convey her feelings and frame of mind?

Answer 1

Shakespeare uses alliteration as Juliet describes her premonitions after she is left alone by her mother and her nurse. Alliteration occurs when a writer repeatedly uses the same letter at the beginning of words that are in close proximity. We see both a repetition of "f" and "c" sounds in the following speech: I have a faint cold fear thrills through my veins that almost freezes up the heat of life. I’ll call them back again to comfort me. In the above passage, Shakespeare also uses the juxtaposition of opposites in placing "freezes" near "heat." Juliet conjures imagery as she imagines waking up in the vault and being driven mad by all the dead bodies there. Imagery is describing with any of the five senses: sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. In the following passage, Juliet vividly conjures smell and sound: what with loathsome smells, And shrieks like mandrakes torn out of the earthShakespeare uses repetition for emphasis, such as when Juliet repeats Romeo's name three times: Romeo, Romeo, Romeo! The exclamation point also shows her emotions rising to a crescendo.  This soliloquy of Juliet's, in which, all alone on stage, she verbalizes her thoughts, is an example of foreshadowing or suggesting what is to come: things do go quite awry with the plan for her to feign death. Through Juliet's soliloquy, we learn her thoughts and fears as she takes the step of drinking the potion. We come to understand what a frightening prospect this is for her. We see what courage it takes her to go ahead with the plan. We also are alerted to the risky nature of this scheme.