Shakespeare uses a variety of writing techniques and skills in his play Romeo and Juliet. One of these is metaphors.
One example of this is when Romeo, Benvolio, and Mercutio meet up outside the party, and Romeo is trying to decide if he should go or not, as he had a dream foretelling bad things. He describes himself as a sailboat, ready to be guided any way God wants him to go.
“But he hath the steerage of my course, direct my sail. On, lusty gentleman.”
While describing himself as a sailboat he is trying to tell his friends that he is ready to be guided to wherever God wants and do whatever he wants, because he trusts God.
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Add Yours →You have done an excellent job of explaining this language effect. I’m really looking forward to drawing your attention to the moments when Shakespeare returns to this metaphor, and how this helps us understand Romeo’s gradual change throughout the play.