1. Tragic Irony: The audience is aware of certain crucial information that the characters themselves are not. This contrast enhances the feeling of pity when Juliet drinks the potion, believing Romeo dead. The use of dramatic irony creates a deeper emotional connection with the audience's perspective.
2. Pathos: Shakespeare uses emotive language and imagery to play upon the readers'/viewers' emotions. Juliet's final monologue and Romeo's passionate lamentation over her body elicit strong feelings of sorrow and empathy. The language evokes a sense of loss and regret, resonating deeply with the audience's emotions.
3. Audience Identification: The play encourages the audience to identify with the characters, particularly with the two young lovers, Romeo and Juliet. Their enduring love, their unwavering devotion, and their ultimate tragic fate create an emotional attachment that makes the audience empathize with their experiences and sufferings.
4. Character Development: Through soliloquies and dialogue, the audience gains insight into Juliet's inner thoughts, fears, and dreams. They witness her transition from a naïve, youthful girl into a deeply passionate, mature woman who understands the consequences of her choices. This character development fosters empathy and sympathy for Juliet's emotional journey.
5. Universal Human Emotions: Shakespeare taps into universal human emotions that transcend time and place. The themes of love, loss, desperation, and the struggle against societal norms resonate with viewers/readers on a profound level, drawing them into the characters' emotional turmoil and evoking empathy.
By skillfully weaving these literary elements, Shakespeare creates a narrative that evokes a profound sense of empathy for Juliet and her tragic fate, leaving a lasting impression on the audience and prompting them to reflect on their own emotions, vulnerabilities, and the human condition.