Romeo and Juliet, an original play written by William Shakespeare published in the year 1597, is a fictional love story tragedy about a man and woman from rival families that fall in love. However, Romeo and Juliet’s tragic love story may not be as much a tragedy as people once thought. Romeo and Juliet had many tragedies but, most of those tragedies are unbelievable and quite comical. There are many comical moments in this play and many moments that are not believable in real life. This play should not be categorized as a tragedy like it once was but a comedy.
Mercutio uses comedy to help level the intensity of serious situations. Before the capulet’s big party Mercutio exclaims to Romeo, “Nay, gentle Romeo, we must have you dance.” This line is a perfect example of how Mercutio is always adding comedy to lighten the mood of the others around him. Another perfect example of how Mercutio tries to …show more content…
Exaggeration is a hallmark of comedy. An example of exaggeration is when Juliet states, “Go ask his name.-If he be married?” Juliet also states, “My grave is like to be my wedding bed.” This quote is also an example of an exaggeration. Capulet also makes a hyperbole statement by saying, “Graze where you will, you shall not house with me.” Romeo also states, “My life were better ended by their hate than death prorogued wanting of thy love,” is not a believable statement. Another example of hyperbole in the play is when the Prince says, “For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo.” Another example of hyperbole and exaggeration is when Romeo says, “Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die.” This quote is so far off of believable that it is just comical. No one would ever kill themselves because a girl they just met less than a week ago died. This play is so filled with exaggeration and hyperbole that it is no longer believable enough to be a