What is an Analysis of the Sonnet in Romeo and Juliet?

Romeo and Juliet, the iconic love tragic of William Shakespeare, includes several sonnets that accentuate the emotional depth of the characters. Sonnets, traditionally 14-line poems with a specific rhyme scheme, serve as a poignant form of exploration in the play. Understanding the structure and purpose of these sonnets can significantly enhance our appreciation for Shakespeare’s work.

Understanding the Structure of a Sonnet

A traditional English sonnet, a form Shakespeare frequently employed, follows a specific structure and rhyme scheme. Composed of 14 lines, the sonnet is typically divided into three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a final couplet (two-line stanzas). Each quatrain has a rhyme scheme of abab, cdcd, and efef, respectively. The final couplet uses the rhyme scheme gg, rhyming its two lines with each other. This structure allows for a progression of ideas leading to a resolution in the final couplet.

To illustrate, let’s consider an excerpt from Shakespeare’s sonnet 130, known as “My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun.”

My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun,

Coral is far more red than her lips' red,

If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;

If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.

I have seen roses damasked red and white,

But no such roses see I in her cheeks;

And in some perfumes is there more delight

Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks

I grant I never saw a goddess go;
I never said that butterflies hung on her

But, in truth, gest she walk the earth undo

And geven heaven to envy her.

Shakespeare’s Sonnets in Romeo and Juliet

In Romeo and Juliet, several sonnets are employed, including Romeo’s famous 10-line sonnet in the balcony scene. These sonnets serve to convey the characters’ inner thoughts and emotions, often with a deeper insight into their psyche than the spoken dialogue.

For instance, in the scene where Romeo first gazes upon Juliet at the Capulet ball, the use of a 10-line sonnet not only captures a moment in time but also emphasizes the contrast between light and dark. This technique is facilitated by the natural imagery and metaphors he uses, such as the bright torch against the dark night, the light of a white dove in a flock of black crows, and the contrast between the grace of Juliet and the awkwardness of Romeo.

The structure of Romeo’s sonnet allows for a seamless progression of ideas, starting with a light night illuminated by a torch, moving on to the contrast of light and dark, and culminating in the resolution that contrasts their apparent imperfections with their undeniable beauty. Despite being structured in iambic pentameter, which is characteristic of Shakespearean sonnets, this 10-line sonnet does not follow the full conventional form, as it only includes ten lines and five rhymes. This unconventional form underscores the spontaneous nature of the sonnet and the moment.

Conclusion

The use of sonnets in Romeo and Juliet not only enhances the emotional depth of the play but also underscores the significance of these moments in the narrative. By employing sonnets, Shakespeare provides a powerful tool for expressing love, beauty, and the complexities of human emotion. Understanding the structure and purpose of these sonnets can offer a richer and more nuanced interpretation of the play.