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Love is a universal emotion that affects everyone and for many, it is a familiar feeling experienced in a variety of intensities and forms. This idea is clearly represented in ‘Romeo and Juliet’, a play written by William Shakespeare in the late sixteenth century, set in fourteenth century Verona, Italy. ...

Love is naturally the play’s dominant and most significant theme, which not only overpowers individuals belonging to the noble class but all Veronese social classes. This is demonstrated in the play’s plot, characters and language. It is evident that Shakespeare’s message for his audience is that love is a violent and ecstatic force that supersedes all other values, loyalties, and emotions which should not be blindly followed.

‘Romeo and Juliet’ clearly demonstrates the theme of love and its inescapable grasp on Veronese society throughout its plot. The first mention of love is in the prologue, where a “pair of star-crossed lovers” and a “death-marked love” are made known, referring to the intense passion between Romeo and Juliet and its inevitable tragic outcome which is the main focus of the play. However, many other forms of love are explored in this text, in Act 1 Scene 1, parental love is demonstrated when Montague and his wife discuss Romeo’s recent melancholy behaviour with Benvolio: “Could we but learn from whence his sorrows grow / We would as willingly give cure as know” (Lines 147-148). Benvolio takes it upon himself to find out what’s wrong with Romeo and make him feel better. Later he shows his ability to be empathic towards his cousin stating, “no, coz, I rather weep…at thy good heart’s oppression” (Line 177). He learns that Romeo’s unreciprocated love for Rosaline is to blame for Romeo’s sadness. The themes of filial, friendship and unrequited love are all evident in this scene, as Romeo trusts Benvolio enough to tell him what he had been keeping secret, and both Benvolio and Montague care enough about Romeo to know something is wrong.

While the text depicts the theme of doomed romantic love between Romeo and Juliet, it is evident that other forms of love also play a role in its tragic outcome, this is demonstrated by its characters. This is evident in the Nurse’s care for Juliet and her closeness with her. She has been caring for Juliet since Juliet was born, she loves Juliet deeply and she is a confidant to her. Besides Friar Lawrence, she is the only other character to know of about the wedding. As a result, she is trusted to act as a messenger between Romeo and Juliet and teases her about it. This shows how close the nurse’s relationship is with Juliet and how caring love can extend into the servant class. However, the Nurse’s involvement allowed Romeo and Juliet to arrange the wedding which indirectly lead to both Tybalt and Mercutio’s deaths. Friar Lawrence demonstrates counselling love to both Romeo and Juliet, and before he secretly marries them, he advises them to take things slowly: “Therefore love moderately” (Act 2, Scene 6, line 14). He also devises a plan that will allow Romeo and Juliet to run away together in Mantua, away from the family feud. This shows that he cares about the lovers. However, his plan leads to both their deaths as well as Paris’s when Romeo is misinformed and the lovers take their own lives at the Capulet tomb in Act 5 Scene 3.

The famous balcony scene of the play is overflowing with descriptive language as the author uses soliloquy to inform the audience what the two characters are thinking. Romeo begins by using the sun as a metaphor for his beloved Juliet: “It is the east, and Juliet is the sun” (Line 3). This conveys how Juliet transcends humanity in Romeo’s eyes. In the same scene, Juliet utilises simile, “My bounty is as boundless as the sea” (Line 133). This clever technique allows the audience to visualise Juliet’s generosity using imagery. In addition, this figurative language is also used by Friar Lawrence in Act 2 Scene 6, “like fire and powder / Which, as they kiss, consume.” (Line 10-11). Here, he foreshadows the narrative’s tragic ending, as he compares Romeo and Juliet to fire and powder which when combined lead to a violent explosion, much like Romeo and Juliet’s violent end.

To conclude, ‘Romeo and Juliet’ clearly demonstrates the recurring theme of love and its catastrophic and inescapable power over individuals and society. Shakespeare successfully represents this though his clever utilisation of language features such as metaphor, foreshadowing and simile. The playwright also uses characters which exemplify caring and counselling love such as the Nurse and Friar Lawrence. The narrative arc carries an important message which remains applicable in today’s contemporary society, blindly following hate will always end tragically and on must be deliberative when making decisions. This play inspires the audience to ponder the effect love has on individuals and society.

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Who Is To Blame For Romeo And Juliet's Death

Who is Responsible for Romeo and Juliet’s Death Essay? Romeo and Juliet one of the most infamous, popular plays written in 1594 by the poet and the greatest writer in English language William Shakespeare. Romeo and Juliet were two star-crossed lovers who fall in love in the beautiful city of Verona. It is well known that these teenagers did suicide and without any doubt that is true, but is not Friar Lawrence the originator of this death? Clearly Friar Lawrence...
2 Pages 1129 Words

The Role Of Fate In Romeo And Juliet

The Role of Fate in Romeo and JulietThroughout the play of the Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, the relationship between Romeo and Juliet has been thwarted by something that could be described as an “outside force.” The idea of fate is strong in the play due Capulets’ and Montagues’ ancient grudge against each other. Throughout the entire play, fate plays a powerful role against Romeo and Juliet’s relationship as their undying love is set to end in death and sorrow...
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Who Is Responsible For Romeo And Juliet's Death?

In the tragedy play of Romeo and Juliet, written by William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet undergo horrible situations for the love of one another . Even though it may look like that they died because of their own poor choices. There were a few characters that have affected the death of our couples like Friar Lawrence, the nurse and especially the big ongoing feud of both families.. Despite the similarity of both families, Montague and Capulets, they are the one...
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Were Romeo and Juliet Really in Love?

Edmond Mbiaka once said, “Don’t judge people by their physical appearances if you truly want to get to know them. Just watch their frequent footsteps and you would surely know their true personalities.” The act of fake true love is a major lesson shown in the play, Romeo and Juliet. The play is set in Verona, Italy, and is centered around two characters, Romeo and Juliet. The two fell in love at a party, but instantly realized they are from...
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Literature Techniques And Their Roles In Romeo And Juliet

Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet utilizes metaphors, symbolism, oxymorons, and personification to further his theme of nature to describe and illustrate his story. The theme of nature is closely tied to the story. The overarching theme of nature is broken down into the earth and stars. Each is developed with literary devices to properly explain and describe the theme to the readers. It follows along with the narrative that Romeo and Juliet have external factors driving their relationship forward. With the...
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Is The Play Romeo And Juliet Still Relevant To Modern Society?

Why is Romeo and Juliet So Popular? Romeo and Juliet shows the hurry of falling into love and to experience that feeling. Shakespeare uses foreshadowing in Romeo and Juliet to make it relevant to our modern day Audience. The themes that are in the play are themes that many people enjoy. Romeo and Juliet is still a great play and have impacted dramatically on the contemporary audiences. In Romeo and Juliet there are many themes, themes that truly bring out...
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Gender Norms Presented In Romeo And Juliet

In William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet, he demonstrates and critiques the strong gender norms that were present at the time in which the play is set in Verona, Italy. He portrays the role of men and women as they were at this time. Men are shown as having a sense of honour, masculinity and are the head of their households whereas women are seen as having to obey men and had a lack of independence due to men being...
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Similarities And Differences Of The Play And Film Romeo And Juliet

‘Romeo and Juliet’ by William Shakespeare continues to be one of the most influential and widely spread pieces of literature in history, even over 400 years after the play was written. The 16th Century play has had countless adaptations, interpretations, and works that have been inspired by the timeless plot surround young, forbidden love. In 1996, yet another version of the play was released with Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The film was directed by Baz Luhrmann and produced by Baz...
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Fate Is to Blame for Romeo and Juliet's Deaths

If Hitler wasn’t elected, the Holocaust could’ve been avoided. Maybe if Romeo and Juliet hadn’t met, Tybalt and Mercutio’s deaths could’ve been avoided, and even the deaths of Romeo Juliet themselves could’ve been avoided. The thing that ties each of these events together though is Fate. In the tragic play by William Shakespeare titled, “Romeo and Juliet”, two teens, each from feuding families, find each other at a Capulet party one evening. All in that same night they instantly fell...
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Romeo And Juliet: Strengths And Weaknesses

Romeo is the young boy looking for love, Juliet is the clever girl, and Capulet is the protective father. William Shakespeare made these characters like this so the audience could relate to their characteristics and personalities. William Shakespeare made complex characters throughout The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet with both strengths and weaknesses. Throughout the Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, Romeo displays, both weaknesses and strengths. Romeo Montague displays all the signs of being very romantic and...
2 Pages 1024 Words

The Reasons Of Suicides In Romeo And Juliet

In play The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, young love and passion play the most important themes throughout the entire play, the elements were being discussed and questioned when the passion and love had form between Romeo and Juliet by each other’s first sight. The play become dramatic when the two lamentable star-crossed lover had to face their family feud and other obstacles in order to obtain the relationship, risking their own life to see each other,...
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Tendencies Towards Impulsivity In Romeo And Juliet

William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet is a world-renowned piece of literature about a tale of two star-crossed lovers. The characters in Romeo and Juliet are frequent victims to their own impulsivity. Impulsivity leads to rash decisions and ultimately negative consequences, even one’s death. The play’s characters Romeo, Juliet, and Tybalt all make impulsive decisions based on emotions and suffer from several negative outcomes because of what they have done. Romeo, the son of Lord and Lady Montague is a...
3 Pages 1457 Words

Theme Of Loyalty In Romeo And Juliet By William Shakespeare

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2 Pages 1119 Words

Romeo And Juliet Death: Analysis

Romeo and Juliet are one of the most well-known tragedies ever written. William Shakespeare wrote the play in 1594 and it has been studied for centuries. The plot follows two ‘star crossed lovers’ set in Verona as their romance blossomed and eventually lead to both of their deaths. Throughout the play, there are many different reasons for their deaths, and therefore there can be many people blamed for their deaths, such as the ongoing feud between the Capulets and the...
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Is Romeo And Juliet a Tragedy or Love Story?

Written a long time ago, the famous love story of young Romeo and Juliet may not be as romantic as it leads its audience on to be. While the story focuses on the true love between two young lovers, there is a bit more meaning behind it all rather than the romance alone. Knowing whether Romeo and Juliet is a romance or a tragedy is significant because the difference between the two can change the entire way a reader views...
2 Pages 888 Words

The Parents’ Roles In The Deaths Of Romeo And Juliet

Parents give their children life, and generally support and guide them until they can begin to live independently−but can givers of life also be the cause of their children’s deaths? In Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, there are two feuding families: the Montagues and the Capulets. If the Montagues and Capulets had gotten along, Romeo and Juliet would have been able to marry freely. The parents’ distant relationships with their children force Romeo and Juliet to turn to other...
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The Relationship Between Romeo And Juliet In The Shakespeare's Play

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How Is The Theme Of Conflict Presented In Romeo And Juliet?

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Are Romeo And Juliet Relevant To Our Modern Society?

“To be or not to be, that is the question.” Romeo and Juliet in this day and age, is obviously not to be.” William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet has utterly no relevance in our modern society. Many may believe this play is the greatest love story in history, but most need to look beyond the language and the complex meanings and realise the real impact this play is having on us students. The tragedy ending is just another way of...
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How Are The Different Forms Of Love In Romeo & Juliet Reflected In The Pivotal Moments Of The Play?

Love is a recurring theme in Romeo and Juliet. It is shown in many different aspects, and is shown in many types, from familial love to love at first sight. The first time love was mentioned was in the prologue. It was mentioned that someone will be falling in love with another person, as said in “A pair of star-crossed lovers” and “death-marked love”. The death also foreshadows the upcoming events that happen in the story. In Act 1 scene...
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The Resonation Of Themes In Romeo And Juliet within 21 Century

Four hundred years have passed since “Romeo and Juliet” was first performed in London during the Elizabethan era, so why is the average student in the 21st century still expected to analysis and study Shakespeare’s historical figures? This is just one dilemma many students are asking. This play explores the highly distinguished themes and concepts such as; love, death, and marriage. These themes make this play relevant to today as it was when it was originally staged. The playwright, William...
2 Pages 873 Words

The Themes And Conflict Within Romeo And Juliet And Gnomeo And Juliet

The original text of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ was written in 1594 by the famed William Shakespeare, which was a story of two households who held an ancient grudge against one another. The play was set in Verona during the Elizabethan Era where two ‘star-crossed’ lovers met only to perish in the end. ‘Gnomeo and Juliet,’ on the other hand, was a retold, movie version of the original text with the exception of all of the characters being gnomes instead of...
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To What Extent Was The Friar To Blame For The Deaths Of Romeo And Juliet

Romeo and Juliet was an ancient masterpiece that time and time again engages audience by displaying strong ideas that portray into our own lives. Author, William Shakespeare displays a wide variety of context about Elizabethan England to portray his own version of ageless ideas. This is a tragic love story that focusses on the two main characters, Romeo and Juliet. They are meant to be sworn enemies because of the long feud between their families, Capulet’s and Montague’s. Romeo Montague...
2 Pages 896 Words

What Can Romeo And Juliet Tell Us About Love?

Love is considered a very important aspect in everyone’s life but when asked about it, what would people really be able to say? You can always answer with a dictionary definition but what would that really tell you? The play “Romeo and Juliet” revolves around the topic of love and tells us that love can influence people’s decisions, love cannot be rushed, and love is the most powerful thing in the world. Firstly, love can influence people’s decisions. Throughout the...
2 Pages 844 Words

Themes Of Love And Hate In Romeo And Juliet

Romeo and Juliet by playwright William Shakespeare is a tragic love story. It has two main protagonists Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet. Love is the play’s most overarching theme but as the chief characters are from long standing feuding families, hate is also clearly embedded throughout the tale. In act one, scene one, the play wastes very little time in setting the scene of unnecessary spitefulness between the two families. The younger generations and servants have inherited hatred from their...
2 Pages 695 Words

Why Juliet Is A Much Stronger Character Than Romeo

Romeo and Juliet, one of Shakespeare’s timeless masterpiece which illuminate the complexities of human emotions and character that continuously engages many audiences on the subject of love and the tragic fates of a star-crossed lover; whose death ultimately reconciles their family fuels. The tragedy of Romeo and Juliet explores the concept of tragic love and fate, hence, impinged Romeo and Juliet by their choices and action which reveals their characteristic and the consequences. Throughout the play, Shakespeare’s depicted Juliet as...
2 Pages 864 Words

The Reasons Why Romeo Is In Charge Of Their Fate In The Play Romeo And Juliet

In the story, Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, Romeo is the architect of his own doom. The inevitable death of Romeo and Juliet was caused by Romeo’s traits: he is impulsive, he is immature, and he is sad and depressed mostly because of his desire to love and be loved. Firstly, Romeo’s impulsiveness and hastiness lead to his death because of three reasons: Romeo rushing his relationships, Romeo rushing his marriage to Juliet, and rushing his death with getting...
3 Pages 1221 Words

Sexist Themes In Romeo and Juliet

This is a tale of young lovers who live nearby, yet with the feud of the bloodlines, they couldn’t be farther apart. William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy about two teens that would do anything to be together, and in the end, pay the ultimate price for their love. Throughout the story, Juliet is given less freedom and is forced into things because she is a girl. Juliet is often held back by the shockingly low amount of...
1 Page 630 Words

A Rhetorical Question in Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare

In Shakespeare’s play ‘Romeo and Juliet’, the intense conflict between the families of the Montagues and Capulets illustrates the theme of internal conflict present throughout the play. It is this conflict that led to the downfall of Romeo and Juliet’s relationship and their inevitable death. In the play, Shakespeare uses a rhetorical question when Juliet states, ‘What if it be a poison, which the friar Subtly hath ministered to have me dead?’ This illustrates Juliet’s doubt of Friar Lawrence’s intentions,...
2 Pages 731 Words

The Effects Of Decisions In Romeo And Juliet

Romeo and Juliet written by William Shakespeare in the late 16th century is a well-known story about a pair of star-crossed lovers. The plot is centred on the affair of two youthful lovers from long-standing rivals. Romeo and Juliet’s tragedy is either a result of haste or fate. The story’s catastrophe is not restrictedly an outcome of haste or fate, but evidently, both of the themes contributed to the cause of the disaster. Romeo and Juliet’s hasty actions of escapism...
5 Pages 2436 Words
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