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Ghadeer Lamah
Mrs. Hope
LPS
13 January 2016
Romeo and Juliet Allusions Essay
Shakespeare has proven to be a storytelling genius. Through his remarkable utilization of
different elements he was able to string together a story that presents fate in its truest form. He
provides a look into the mind of two lovers that live off of the hope their love gives them;
without this love, they are hopeless. How can a love between two people that is so significant
possibly be fathomed into words? Through the use of a pattern of various literary allusions,
Shakespeare is able to abstractly present the theme of love and destiny and show progression in
the plot characters as a result of this theme.
Cupid is an allusion that is a common thread found throughout the play. He is the
mythological God of love, desire, and attraction, therefore making him the perfect object of
comparison for Romeo and Juliets affection. This well known figure that is commonly linked to
young love can easily put the situation of the characters into a perspective that further enhances
just how deep their love is.One instance where Cupid was used was when Romeo was describing
Rosaline to Benevolio, before he met Juliet, Well in that hit you miss. Shell not be hit with
Cupids arrow (1.1.216-217). Romeo is suggesting that no matter what he does, he can not
seduce Rosaline or win her love, hence the fact that she can not be hit with Cupids arrow. The
arrow is a symbol of fate steering that person into the direction of their true love. Rosaline not
being hit with Cupids arrow is presenting the fact that with her, it is not meant to be. Through
the use of this allusion, Shakespeare is able to display the overall theme of love and fate, while

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also showing Romeos emotions. In this part of the play, Romeo is without love, as he has yet to
experience what true love is. He is convinced that the only thing love will ever bring him is
sadness; he even says, love is a smoke made with a fume of sighs (1.1.197). This hopeless,
love sick, and depressed boy that Shakespeare creates using these allusions before Romeo meets
his true love intensifies the authenticity and epicness of the love he experiences later in the play.
Romeos emotions completely alter when he finally fulfills his biggest wish: to find a
lover that loves him back. Near the beginning of the play, Romeo compares Rosaline to Diana,
the moon goddess of chastity and independence; She hath Dians wit, And in strong proof of
chastity well armed, From loves weak childish bow she lives uncharmed(1.1.217-219).
Rosaline is being portrayed as having the same stubborn mindset as Diana when it comes to love
and vulnerability. Just as Diana is chaste, so is Rosaline; Romeo felt as if this was partly his fault
as his love never seemed to be sufficient enough to win her over. This causes the void in
Romeos heart. Juliet is the light that fills the void that seemed to be a endless darkness in
Romeos heart; she is also what revives a part of Romeo that was hidden in his constant
emotional suffering. The change in Romeos character in terms of his internal state and mindset
was reflected in the manner in which he spoke about Juliet. Praising her as if she was a goddess,
or even superior to one, there was no questioning the purity of Romeos passion. Romeo
expresses the supremacy of Juliets beauty in the famous balcony scene using the same allusion
to Diana: It is the East, and Juliet is the sun. Arise fair sun, and kill the envious moon...Be not
her maid since she is envious (2.2.3-7). When saying the envious moon, Romeo is indirectly
referring to Diana, as she is the moon goddess. In contrast to when Romeo previously referred to
Rosaline as being the same as Diana, he is now declaring that Juliet has the power to kill
Diana. These two loves of Romeo are portrayed as polar opposites through this allusion; Juliet

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returns his love, as opposed to staying chaste like Diana and Rosaline. This suggests that their
love is so strong, it surpasses the power of gods and goddesses.
All in all, Shakespeare weaves the theme of love and destiny into his play in a way that
affects the characters and their outlooks. He takes advantage of powerful allusions to help in the
progression of the characters alongside this theme. He provides these gods with beliefs that are
so prominent and notable, never to be forgotten or overlooked, in order to present Romeo and
Juliets love as equal in power. Their fate is unavoidable, therefore choosing these specific gods
and goddesses as allusions constructs the metaphor of Romeo and Juliet having a fate that is
inevitable.