Essay: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare Foreshadowing

thesis- The foreshadowing signals danger in the near future (i.e. their deaths being the biggie)

foreshadowing examples-

1. Benvolio says,” Take thou some new infection to thy eye, /And the rank poison of the old will die (Shakespeare I, ii, 51-52)"

Romeo ends up forgetting Rosaline as soon as he sees Juliet.

2. Juliet's reply to her mother who wants her to look at Paris because his fiancee will be just as admired as he- "I'll look to like, if looking liking move./ But no more deep will, I endart mine eye/ fan your sense give strength to make it fly" (Shakespeare I, iii, 99-101).

This foreshadows that Juliet will end up falling for someone other than Paris.

3. Before entering the Capulet masquerade, Romeo says," I fear too early, for my mind misgives/ Some consequence yet hanging in the stars/ Shall bitterly begin his fearful date/ With this night's revels, and expire the term/ Of a despised life closed in my breast/ By some vile forfeit of untimely death (Shakespeare I, iv, 113-118).

This foreshadows what happens during the rest of the play. Romeo's entrance to the masquerade triggers a series of events that leads to his death.

4. Tybalt assures himself that he will retaliate for Romeo showing up at to the Capulet party.  He threatens, "I will withdraw, but this intrusion shall / Now seeming sweet convert to bitter gall" (Shakespeare I, v, 91-92). 

gall= something bitter, like poison, which symbolizes the nature of his death

5. Juliet is concerned that a guard will see Romeo during the balcony scene. She says,” And the place death, considering who thou art, / if any of my kinsmen find thee here (Shakespeare II, ii, 69-70).”  When Romeo answers back,” My life were better ended by their hate/ Than death proroguèd, wanting of thy love (Shakespeare II, ii, 82-83),” it foreshadows Romeo getting Juliet's love, but then dying for it.

6. When Romeo tries to express his love for Juliet he said,” I am no pilot; yet, went thou as far/ As that vast shore wash’d with the farthest sea, / I would adventure for such merchandise.”  

This quote foreshadows his last words to Juliet, these words being, “Come, bitter conduct, come, unsavoury guide! /Thou desperate pilot, now at once run on/ The dashing rocks thy sea-sick weary bark! / Here’s to my love (Drinks.) O true apothecary!/ thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die (Dies.)” (V,iii,126-131).
 
 7. Friar Lawrence says,” Nor aught so good but, strained from that fair use, /Revolts from true birth, stumbling on abuse./ Virtue itself turns vice, being misapplied,/ And vice sometime by action dignified (Shakespeare II, iii, 19-22),” 

he means that everything depends on how it's natural powers are used.  This foreshadows Romeo and Juliet’s love bringing them death

8.).  before marrying Romeo and Juliet- Friar Lawrence cautions, “These violent delights have violent ends/ And in their triumph die, like fire and powder, /Which, as they kiss, consume (Shakespeare II, vi, 9-11),” 
foreshadows that hasty pleasures have hasty endings like Romeo and Juliet's love lead them to death.  9.Replying to quote 8, Romeo speaks, “Do thou but close our hands with holy words, / Then love- devouring death do what he dare;/ it is enough I may but call her mine.  

In actuality, this does happen.  Romeo and Juliet die out of love for each other.  
10. as Mercutio is dying-  Mercutio shouts, ”A plague o’ both your houses (Shakespeare III, I, 111)!”  

“plague” foreshadows the outbreak of plague that keeps Friar John quarantined and unable to deliver the message from Friar Lawrence to Romeo that described the plan.
11.  Then, after Mercutio’s death, Romeo says,”This day’s black fate on more days doth depend./ This but begins the woe that others must end (Shakespeare III, I, 124-125).”  

foreshadows that Mercutio’s death was only the beginning of bad and dangerous things to come, and that others will suffer to end them