Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.
Trending News
Romeo and Juliet, why the religious symbolism?
In Romeo and Juliet, the seen where they first meet is very heavy with Christian references.
He refers to himself as a pilgrim, talks of idolatry and compares the palms of his hands to the palms burnt on ash Wednesday.
Why do you think that pivotal moment in the story Shakespeare chose religion to associate with love?
ps this has nothing to do with school work, It's just something I'm curious about.
3 Answers
- Anonymous9 years agoFavorite Answer
Part of it is for humorous effect. Romeo is using all this holy religious language, trying to convince Juliet, "My love for you is really special and spiritual and respectful. It's not only that I think you have a really sexy bod and that I want to get into your pants as quickly as possible."
Juliet's response, at least at first, using the same religious symbolism, seems to suggest that her attitude is, "Right, Mr. Raging Hormones, I don't believe a single word of those obvious pick-up lines."
- AthenaLv 79 years ago
Remember, the SCENE was written when religion as a strong part of everyday life.
It would be no more unusual for Shakespeare to use religious symbolism than for you to use "Twilight" symbolism or Harry Potter symbolism. Everyone now would understand what you meant.
Religion was part of the audience's daily life and all of them knew Bible verse and stories.
- BuzzyBeeLv 79 years ago
He is worshiping Juliet. I guess that is the only thing he can compare his feelings to. He is comparing falling in love with the mystical feelings of a true believer on a religious holiday or on a pilgrimage to a holy city.
