LOVE AND HATE
Love is the most important aspect in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Hate is probably the second
most important aspect. The hate from each of the families only makes the love that Romeo and
Juliet stronger. Forbidden love is the plot line in a nutshell. The opposition that is created by the two
themes creates the story line. Without love, Romeo and Juliet wouldn’t be together and without hate
the tragic ending would never be. Sure, Romeo and Juliet may still have fallen in love but for the
story’s sake, Romeo and Juliet die for each other because it is not possible for them to live together.
This shows the true love that the two lovers share and the families realise their feuding is
unnecessary as soon as Romeo and Juliet are found dead. Therefore, our theme comes up again, the
families hate turns to love.
Love - A strong positive emotion of regard and
affection.
Hate - To feel hostility or animosity toward
someone or something.
Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet’s love for each other seems
genuine and is the main theme in this story.
Romeo is in love with Rosaline at first but
when he sees Juliet, he immediately knows
she is the one. At first, you don’t know if
Romeo is genuine with his love for Juliet
seeing that he can change his mind so quickly.
Montague and Capulet feud.
Montague and Capulet’s have been feuding
for along time and that absolutely hate each
other. They really don’t even know why they
are fighting with each other. There is a deep,
strong hate for each other and this is a driving
factor in why it is nearly impossible for the
two “star cross’d lovers” to be together.
QUOTE – Romeo to Juliet
“If I profane with my unworthiest hand
This holy shrine, the gentle fine is this:
My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand
To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.”
QUOTE - Prologue
“Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.”
Nurse’s love for Juliet
The nurse love’s Juliet like she was her own
daughter. She is the “natural mother” type
and loves Juliet to death. The nurse helps
Juliet with her marriage to Romeo.
Tybalt
Tybalt is part of the feuding families but he
deserves to be in a whole other category
because he is much more territorial than the
others. Tybalt ends up killing Mercutio due to
a verbal street fight.
QUOTE – Nurse about Juliet.
“Peace, I have done. God mark thee to his
grace!
Thou wast the prettiest babe that e'er I nursed:
An I might live to see thee married once,
I have my wish.”
Paris and Juliet
Paris loves Juliet but Juliet doesn’t love him
back. The Capulet’s want Paris to marry Juliet.
Although there love isn’t as strong as Romeo
and Juliet’s, it is just another form of love in
the play. Shakespeare may have done this on
purpose to show” true love” and “forced love.”
QUOTE – Capulet to Paris
“But woo her, gentle Paris, get her heart,
My will to her consent is but a part.”
QUOTE – Tybalt to Mercutio.
“Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries
That thou hast done me; therefore turn and
draw.”
Prince Escalus
Prince Escalus hates the feud that is going on
with the families and is nearly fed up. He
foreshadows at the start of the book that he
will kill anyone of the families if they are
caught fighting again.
QUOTE – Prince Escalus about the feuding
families.
“If ever you disturb our streets again,
Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace.”