Aysha Carter Dr. OrbanEnglish 41124 April 2015The most excellent and deplorable tragedy of Romeo and Juliet Foreshadowing has been used throughout literature to reveal seen or unforeseen endings of intrigue, death and love . Many of these themes are not seen until the last scene or in subsequent readings of the play. William Shakespeare used imagery and language to foreshadow love and death. Many writers use this writing technique to demonstrate the ability of foreshadowing to add much more meaning to a novel or play. “In Romeo and Juliet the occult becomes a language through which the connection between feeling and cognition is repeatedly articulated” (Spellburg). The foreshadowing in the work begins with the framing of the film. While spending time with his friends, Romeo imagines his own death. “I fear too soon, for my mind suspects some consequence still hanging among the stars […] for some vile renunciation of an untimely death” (Shakespeare 918). Romeo complains that he is nervous because of a bad dream he had about his death, which occurs at the end of the play. The literary critic Matthew Spellberg explains that "in this tragedy there are dreams with narrative interests, dreams that bring with them bad omens and portentous symbols" (Spellberg). This further proves that Shakespeare uses dreams to paint a picture of what is to come. In the same breath Romeo exclaims “But he who steers my course, steers my sail! Come forward, vigorous gentlemen” (Shakespeare 918). Romeo says it's all up to God, and God would never let him make mistakes, right? He and his friends march cheerfully to the Caplet "Give me my Romeo, and when I die take him and cut him into little stars, and he will make the face of heaven so fair [...]" (Shakespeare 943). Juliet is very anxious about her wedding night, as Spellburg makes clear, "Playing on the double meaning of 'dying,' Juliet chooses the two most intensely felt carnal experiences - orgasm and death - as anchors for her fantasy that it follows" (Spellberg ). The only thing that could describe their love is two penultimate physical experiences for all humanity. Foreshadowing is used to predict the outcomes of the play and express the love that Juliet and Romeo share for each other. Ultimately, love and death heal the rift between the two families. The moral of the story is to stay away from the opposite sex and obey your parents. Also remind parents that if they forbid two young lovers from being together, the young person will work harder to be together.