How is Shakespeares language in “Romeo and Juliet” Aristotelian?
Aristotle considered six parts of drama to be important. One of those six aspects was diction, or language. “Romeo and Juliet” can be considered Aristotelian when it is performed entirely in words. It does not contain song, dance, or any other form of expression which Aristotle would find inferior to words. Shakespeare also fills this play with metaphors, alliteration, puns, and other literary devices. This flourish of language was included in Aristotle’s definition of tragedy.
