Shakespeare's Poetic Dramatic Structure and Tradition of Tragic Romances in Romeo and Juliet

Dr. Muhammad Ali Abbakar; Suleiman Al Tinawi

Volume : V, Issue : IV, April - 2015

Shakespeare's Poetic Dramatic Structure and Tradition of Tragic Romances in Romeo and Juliet

Dr. Muhammad Ali Abbakar, Suleiman Al Tinawi

Abstract :

 This paper examines Shakespeare’s Poetic Dramatic Structure and Tradition of Tragic Romances in Romeo 

and Juliet. Shakespeares use of his poetic dramatic structure, especially effects such as switching between 

comedy and tragedy to heighten tension, his expansion of minor characters, and his use of sub–plots to embellish the 

story, has been praised as an early sign of his dramatic skill. The play ascribes different poetic forms to different characters, sometimes changing the form as the character develops. Romeo, for example, grows more adept at the sonnet over 

the course of the play. Romeo and Juliet has been adapted numerous times for stage, film, musical and opera. During 

the English Restoration, it was revived and heavily revised by William Davenant. David Garricks 18th–century version also 

modified several scenes, removing material then considered indecent, and Georg Bendas operatic adaptation omitted 

much of the action and added a happy ending. Performances in the 19th century, including Charlotte Cushmans, restored the original text, and focused on greater realism.