Role of books in Romeo and Juliet
For much of human history, literacy and books have been representative of the wealthy, civilized upper class. ... Books were very rare and the few that people did own were prized greatly and treasured above all. In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, literary images are often used to describe characters, specifically books, writing, and reading. However, it is not to show the parallels between books and characters; it is an oxymoron. It shows the contrast between the sophistication of the books that the characters should have, and the vulgar way in which they actually act. ... Romeo loses his temper and finishes off the duel with Tybalt, killing Tybalt. ... Juliet flies into a terrible rage of frenzy when she learns of the banishment of her husband, Romeo. ... Juliet demands a solution from Friar Laurence, or else “and with this knife I’ll help it presently;” she will kill herself.