Short Biography of William Shakespeare (1564-1616) : Literary Criticism Romeo and Juliet Play

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Literary Criticism

Romeo and Juliet Play

Short Biography of William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon on 23rd April 1564. He is an English


poet and playwright.  Shakespeare is widely considered to be the greatest writer in the English
language. He wrote 38 plays and 154 sonnets. By the early Seventeenth Century, Shakespeare
had begun to write plays in the genre of tragedy. These plays, such as Hamlet, Othello and King
Lear, often hinge on some fatal error or flaw in the lead character and provide fascinating
insights into the darker aspects of human nature. During his lifetime, Shakespeare was not
without controversy, but he also received lavish praise for his plays which were very popular and
commercially successful. His plays have retained an enduring appeal throughout history and the
world. Some of his most popular plays include:

 Twelfth Night
 Henry V
 Romeo and Juliet
 Macbeth
 Hamlet
 King Lear
 Othello
Literary Criticism

Based on oxford dictionary, literary criticism is the art or practice of judging and commenting on
the qualities and character of literary works. It is usually in the form of a critical essay, but in-
depth book reviews can sometimes be considered literary criticism. Criticism may examine a
particular literary work, or may look at an author's writings as a whole.

Drama

A drama is a composition in verse or prose presenting a story in pantomime or dialogue,


containing conflict of characters, particularly the ones who perform in front of audience on the
stage.

Literary Work

Romeo and Juliet was written by Shakespeare at a relatively early juncture in his literary career,
most probably in 1594 or 1595. During much of the twentieth century, critics tended to disparage
this play in comparison to the four great tragedies that Shakespeare wrote in the first decade of
the seventeenth century (Hamlet, King Lear, Macbeth, and Othello). The reason why we choose
Romeo and Juliet because it is very famous play and it was written by William Shakespeare.

Summary

Two star-crossed lovers fall hopelessly in love despite the heated feud between their families, the
Montagues and the Capulets. Romeo first meets Juliet at a ball hosted by her father, Lord
Capulet. After the ball, Romeo and Juliet meet on her balcony, where they swear undying love to
each other. With the aid of Friar Laurence, the lovers are secretly married the next day. Juliet's
hotheaded cousin Tybalt challenges Romeo to a duel. Romeo declines, not wanting to fight
Juliet's kin. Romeo's friend Mercutio takes his place in the duel and is killed. Enraged, Romeo
slays Tybalt. For this offense, the Prince of Verona banishes Romeo from the city. Meanwhile,
Lord Capulet has arranged for Juliet to marry Paris, unaware of her marriage to Romeo. Juliet
seeks the help of Friar Laurence, who gives her a sleeping potion that mimics death. He assures
her that Romeo will be waiting for her when she wakes up in the family tomb, but Romeo never
gets the message. He drinks poison in her tomb. Upon waking to find Romeo dead, Juliet stabs
herself with his dagger.

Critiques

Emily May (www.goodreads.com)

In terms of language and style, Romeo and Juliet might possibly be the best of all Shakespeare's
work. It's crammed full of some of the most beautiful poetry I've ever had the pleasure of
reading. But the story of lust-filled teens sacrificing themselves because of an extreme burst of
instalove? Never really been my cup of tea. (Expressive criticism)

Emy (www.goodreads.com)

As a high school student, I hated Romeo and Juliet. I thought their actions too melodramatic,
and because I didn't believe in love at first sight, I found the entire play deficient. The entire
tragedy, in my teenage eyes, occurred because of their parent's feud. Now I realize that the play
wasn't lacking, I was. The headstrong passions of youth contributed to their demise as much as
the family enmity. The plot derives strength from this, and story joined with beautiful language--
Shakespeare perfected the oxymoron in the lines--this play is a masterpiece. (Impressionistic
criticism)

Our Critics about the critiques above

We think the first critic is an expressive criticism. Expressive criticism is gushes about
how well an author expressed or conveyed him or herself, his or her visions and feelings. This
poetry can call as an expressive criticism because from the utterance ‘In terms of language and
style, Romeo and Juliet might possibly be the best of all Shakespeare's work. It's crammed full of
some of the most beautiful poetry I've ever had the pleasure of reading.’ that is express the
person feelings who give a critic about this play.

The second critic is impressionistic criticism. Impressionistic criticism is “appreciates”


the responses evoked by works of literature with oohs and ahhs regarding “the soul” and
declarations of “masterpieces.” At first, Emy said that she hated Romeo and Juliet, she thought
their actions too melodramatic, she didn't believe in love at first sight, and she found the entire
play deficient. From the utterance “Now I realize that the play wasn't lacking, I was. The
headstrong passions of youth contributed to their demise as much as the family enmity. The plot
derives strength from this, and story joined with beautiful language--Shakespeare perfected the
oxymoron in the lines--this play is a masterpiece.”, We know that after she watched the play she
was amazed. She said the play is a masterpiece. It means the critic is using impressionistic
criticism.

We agree with Emily May’s critic. The language and style of the author is good and the
play is interesting, but we do not like the ending of the story because it is not happy ending. They
decided to do suicide together because of love. They are still young but they took a short path.
That’s why this play is kind of tragedy.

References

https://literarydevices.net/drama/

www.biography.com/people/william-shakespeare-9480323

https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/literary_criticism

www.goodreads.com

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