Amber's Online Journal

notes: A metaphor is a hidden, implicit or implied comparison between two seemingly unrelated things. It is a figure of speech in which two strikingly different concepts or things are compared to one another based off a single common characteristic.

Example: “He that hath the steerage of my course, direct my sail!”

Romeo speaks these words just as he begins to make his way to the capulet ball. In this metaphor, Romeo compares his fate to a ship. The common characteristic that binds them and brings us meaning is the fact that the ship cannot control the path it takes, its captain does this. Romeo’s fate is similar here as he believes that someone/something is in control of it for him. This links to the larger notion of fate that is communicated in the play as it shows the acknowledgement from one of the main characters that a greater power rules their actions. This was a common belief of the people in Elizabethan England, who believed their life path was predetermined by god.

“I am no pilot.”

He has no control over what he does. In this metaphor romeo compares himself to an inexperienced pilot. They are similar because he is comparing himself to the pilot, His feeling of being out of control. It was a connection with fate and that it was meant to be. This was a common belief of the people in Elizabethan England, who believed their life path was predetermined by god.

“yet

Romeo is one of our two protagonists in the play. At time, he directly acknowledges the power that ‘fate’ has over him. During other points in the play, Romeo demonstrates an inability to control his emotions and this means he acts rashly. We can argue that because he is an impulsive character, shakespeare is showing us that another power, like fate, directs his life + decisions.

• Protagonists means: they are the centre of attention in the book.
• inability to control his emotions: he does things unexpectedly and has a lot of mood swings.
• acts rashly:

i

Act one,scene one…

Capulets and Montagues begin to fight, Romeos parents are worried about his behaviour. Romeo tells his friends about what is happening between him and Rosaline.

Act one, scene two..

Paris really wants to marry Juliet but juleits father thinks that she is too young so the survent sends invitations to a ball.

Act one, scene three..

Lady capulet tells Juliet and her nurse that Paris wants to purpose to her.

Act one, scene four..

Benvolio and Mercurio invite Romeo to join them at the Ball so that hopefully he will get his mind off Rosaline.

Act one, scene five..

Romeo meets Juliet and it is love at first sight, Juliet asks nurse questions about young Romeo.

Act two, scene one..

Romeo runs away and hides because his friends keep joking about his love with Rosaline.

Act two, scene two..

Juliet has a new love, not knowing that Romeo is listening,they arrange for the nurse to act as their go between.