Symbols

Serpent Symbol:

Shakespeare uses many different symbols throughout the play Romeo and Juliet which help develop mood, characters and setting. The symbol of the serpent is used a lot to represents evil. Such as when Juliet finds out that her love Romeo killed her cousin Tybalt. "O serpent heart, hid with a flow'ring face!" (Shakespeare.III.ii.73). The serpent symbol in this quotes shows how Juliet thinks Romeo is evil and a killer she refers him to a serpent. She believes he is not just a loving, caring man he also has an evil side to him that is being shown making her fall out of love with Romeo. Later she finds out that if Romeo did not kill her cousin, Tybalt would of killed him. Juliet quickly falls back in love with Romeo.  Therefore the symbol of the serpent shows how love is fickle. Juliet falls out of love with Romeo because she believes he is evil but then quickly falls back in love when she finds out Tybalt was going to kill him. The theme appearance versus reality is also shown because Juliet thinks that Romeo has an attractive face but the heart of a serpent. Proving how the symbol of the serpent represents evil and also how fickle love can be. 

Poison Symbol:

The symbol of poison has a huge impact on the play. Friar Lawrence says that every plant, herb, and stone has its own special properties, and that nothing exists in nature that cannot be put to both good and bad uses. The sleeping potion Friar gives to Juliet was designed to show the appearance of death. The symbol of the poison represents love because Juliet drinks the poison because she loves Romeo and can't be with out him. Romeo also takes the poison because he thinks Juliet is dead and wants to be with her forever so he kills himself. "There is thy gold, worse poison to men's souls Doing more murder in this loathsome world, Than these poor compounds that thou mayst not sell. I sell thee poison, thou hast sold me none. Farewell, buy food, and get thyself in flesh. Come, cordial and not poison, go with me To Juliet's grave, for there must I use." (Shakespeare.V.iii.80-86) This proves that the symbol of the poison represents love because everyone who takes it is willing to die for love. Shakespeare uses Romeo's death as a way to develop character and plot. When Romeo drinks the poison it shows that he truly loves Juliet and that he is unable to live without her. Plot is also developed because the death of Romeo leads to the death of Juliet. Therefore, the symbol of the poison develops character also plot and symbolizes love between Romeo and Juliet. 

                                                        Star Symbol:

The symbol of the star represents the blossoming love growing between Romeo and Juliet. The symbol of the star is symbolic because it illustrates how Romeo and Juliet's love for each other will not last forever and is constantly changing just like the stars they are in the sky at night but quickly fade to morning. In the play it says, " I fear too early, for my mind misgives Some consequences yet hanging in the stars Shall bitterly begin his fearful date With this night's revels, and expire the term (Shakespeare.I.iv.106-109). Romeo says this line just before entering the masquerade party. Shakespeare uses the symbol of the star to develop plot to show Romeo and Juliet's fate because they are "star-crossed lovers" which means that they are not supposed to be together. There families do not get along which means there love for each other will never work. The symbol of the star also foreshadows Romeo's future because it hints that there will be a consequence for Romeo from going to the masquerade ball when in the end, Romeo dies because of it.  Therefore the symbol of the star is symbolic of the love between Romeo and Juliet.