Romeo and Juliet Analysis Essay
One main theme in the play Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare is how fate is a force more
powerful than even love or hate. Shakespeare uses soliloquy, imagery, and symbolism to
emphasize the tragedy of the “star-cross’d lovers” (Prologue.6) and thus, show how, despite the
feud and Romeo and Juliet’s efforts to be together, life is a set of predetermined events.
In Act Two, Scene Three, Shakespeare uses soliloquy to show how fate is inescapable
through foreshadowing the lovers’ tragic fates. When Friar Lawrence is alone he says “Virtue
itself turns to vice, being misapplied, and vice sometime by action dignified” (2.3.20-25). The
moralization can be applied to the powerful love of Romeo and Juliet. Friar Lawrence agrees to
carry on with their marriage in hopes to mend the long lasting feud of the Capulets and the
Montagues. However, his plan to help Juliet escape being married to Paris fails results in the
destined and despaired uncatholic deaths of the two lovers. Despite going against their religion in
taking their own lives to be united in the afterlife. They did it for the sake of love which is well
respected in society as well as in their religion in other words action dignified. Overall however
with that dignified action of their noble deaths they in fact do achieve vice mending the rivalry
between their families.
Capulets’ servants; the Capulets; Capulet’s anger towards Juliet
In this same soliloquy, Shakespeare also uses imagery and symbolism to reinforce the
inevitability of fate despite other forces such as love. When the Friar notes that “Within the
infant rind of this small flower poison hath residence and medicine power,” this statement is also
Shakespeare’s commentary on the tragedy of the story. The “poison” and “medicine power” of
this plant symbolizes how Romeo and Juliet’s love turned into disaster. The imagery of smelling
the flower, which could “cheer each part,” or – if ingested, could “stay all senses with the heart,”
echoes how the lovers found happiness – but it was not meant to last. The flower represents the
beautiful, but temporary nature of their time together… For which being smelt, with that part
cheers each part. For this being smelt and tasted, stays all senses with the heart. Two such
opposed kings encamp them still, in man as well as herbs—grace and rude will.” The imagery
used to describe the flower symbolizes Romeo and Juliet’s love. The flower if smelt holds much
medicinal power. However if consumed it will result in death.
Wherein their case pursuing their affections for each other is possibly the ultimate
remedy to bring two opposing sides together through kinship ties. However having such
powerful infatuation for each other is peril and destined for a tragedy. They are in the midst of an
ongoing feud and like a poison in their blood it will not let their love survive amongst society.
Their love is too strong to exist in a society. For example in the story Romeo has become so
effimate by Juliet’s love. He refuses to fight Tybalt and would rather die by his sword than prick
a drop of blood from a Capulet. However if had fought Tybalt he possibly could’ve saved a close
friend and new kinsman. It therefore making easier for himself to win the likings of the
Capulet’s.
The outcome of his actions by love sparks more hatred between the rivals. Juliet is
newly betrothed and soon to be wed. Romeo is exiled and Friar plans to help Juliet escape the
marriage fail. Romeo hears the news of Juliet death and the truth is not delivered. He only sees
the appearance of a corpse of whom he dies by his own hand in grief.
Overall Shakespeare disregarding whether he did it intentionally or not makes great use of
literary devices such as imagery, soliloquy, and symbolism to express the fates of the two star
crossed lover. Love not in all cases but when it is true standing in the midst of a feud and a
misunderstanding society it can be overwhelming and self destructive. However true love will
last and bring lovers to their deaths to keep it. True love is immeasurable, formless, and constant
unlike the inconstant moon which Juliet makes Romeo not swear by. Romeo and Juliet’s love
brought peace ending the feud not only because the society realized that their love was more
powerful than most. But it is also the closure and relief that their deaths bring. Society even after
Romeo and Juliet’s suicides in the name of love could never truly understand or accept their
love.