Symbols

Poison Symbol:
In the play, Romeo and Juliet, the symbol of the poison is representative of love between Romeo and Juliet. An example of this is when Romeo says, "Here's to my love! O true apothecary! Thy drugs are quick. Thus I die with a kiss (Shakespeare.V.iii.119-120). Romeo takes the poison when he arrives at Juliet's tomb and finds that she is dead. Romeo killing himself symbolizes love because he feels like he is unable to live without Juliet. Furthermore, Shakespeare uses Romeo's death as a way to develop character, theme and plot. When Romeo takes the poison, it is revealed that he truly loves Juliet and that he is unable to live without her. Plot is also developed because the death of Romeo eventually leads to Juliet's death. The theme, the inevitability of fate, is also developed because it was fate that destroyed the relationship of the star crossed lovers. The poison can also help develop the theme of appearance versus reality, because the poison seems evil, but Romeo took it because he loves Juliet.





Serpent Symbol:
The symbol of the serpent, as used by Juliet is a very effective symbol used my Shakespeare. The serpent symbol is used when Juliet says, "O serpent heart, hid with a flow'ring face"(Shakespeare.III.ii.73). The serpent symbolizes the evil and deceit that Juliet sees in Romeo, after finding out that he killed her cousin Tybalt. Furthermore, it makes Juliet ignore his "flow'ring face" and she falls out of love with him. Theme is developed because Juliet later finds out that Romeo would have been killed if he had not killed Tybalt first. The theme, the fickle nature of love, is developed because Juliet is able to quickly fall in and out of love with Romeo. Appearance versus reality is also shown because Juliet thinks that Romeo has an attractive face, but the heart of a snake.
  

Cupid Symbol:
Shakespeare uses the symbol of cupid in the play, Romeo and Juliet, as a method to develop theme and plot. In the play Merutio says, "You are a lover, borrow Cupid's wings, And soar with them above a common bound" (Shakespeare I.iv.17-18). Cupid symbolizes the fickle nature of love, and how quickly changing it is. Mercutio is telling Romeo to try to fall in love with another women, in order to get over Rosaline. The theme, ever changing love, is developed because Romeo claimed to love Rosaline with all his heart, but then sees Juliet and says that he is madly in love with her. Plot is also developed because Romeo married Juliet just a few days after seeing her, proving that people can fall in and out of love at any time.