Introduction
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A play that has a clear theme from the outset is ‘Romeo and
Juliet’ by William Shakespeare. The play explores the theme of
love and all its dramas and conveys a wide spectrum of
opinions on the matter. Shakespeare exercises various
techniques, such as effective symbolism, to portray the theme of
love throughout this immense struggle between our beloved
Romeo and Juliet. The play tells the tale of two star crossed
lovers from Verona whom are separated by a deep feud
running between their families for generations. The romance
ends in tragedy of epic proportions as both Romeo and Juliet
meet their end in the cataclysmic final scenes.
Sampson and Gregory
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Act One, Scene One
Sampson and Gregory display a side to love that a few
other characters in the play echo. As it happens, this is
the first outlook on love found in the play. This is a vain,
shallow comprehension of love and truly contrasts with
the romantic ideals expressed and shared by Juliet and
Romeo later in the play.
“I will push Montague’s men from the wall, and thrust his
maids to the wall…I
am a pretty piece of flesh.”
-Sampson
Mercutio
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Act One, Scene Four
Mercutio, kinsman of Montague and good friend of
Romeo, has what is possibly the most polarised view of
love seen in the play. He believes love is an entirely
physical pursuit, and shares this opinion frequently. He
also actively teases Romeo for his over-dramatic
desires.
“If love be rough with you, be rough with love…I conjure
thee [Romeo] by Rosaline’s bright eyes, By her high
forehead and her scarlet lip, By her fine foot, straight leg,
and quivering thigh, And the demesnes that there
adjacent lie… This drivelling love is like a great natural
that runs lolling up and down to hide his bauble in a
hole.”
The Nurse’s View of Love
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The nurse’s view of love is very humorous and jokey; she seems to
often talk about the sexual/physical side of relationships and
regularly makes references to the subject:
“Thou wilt fall backward when thou comest to age,
Wilt thou not, Jule?”
The nurse references back to when Juliet was an infant; she would
fall forwards on multiple attempts of trying to walk. This contrasts
what the nurse is trying to indicate now that she has grown up as
she is now trying to imply that when Juliet is old enough for a
serious relationship she will spend a lot of time on her back, on her
bed. This is an early indication of the nurse’s immature attitude
towards love and relationships and also hints that Juliet and herself
are on joking terms, suggesting the closeness of the two.
Lady Capulet
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Lady Capulet’s view on love is all about status.
“Here in Verona, Ladies of esteem Are made already
mothers. By my count I was your mother upon your
years That you are now a maid.”
“ By having him, making yourself no less”
Both of the quotes above refer to Lady Capulet's views
on why marriage is all about how people see you and the
status you have. This contradicts Romeo and Juliet’s
love as their love is all about feelings and not status
Romeo and Juliet- Spiritual/Passionate Love
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“My only love sprung from my only hate! Too early seen
unknown, and known too late! Prodigious birth of love it
is to me.” – Juliet
“O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!
It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night.” – Romeo,
upon seeing Juliet for the first time.
“But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks?
It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.” – Romeo
“O, speak again, bright angel! for thou art
As glorious to this night…as is a winged messenger of
heaven.” – Romeo
Romeo and Juliet- Desperate
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“Come, Night, come, Romeo, come, thou day in night,
For thou wilt lie upon the wings of night.”
Juliet after Tybalt’s death.
“Tybalt is dead, and Romeo banished. That
‘banished’…hath slain ten thousand Tybalts.” – Juliet,
upon hearing Romeo has killed Tybalt.
“’Tis torture, and not mercy. Heaven is here, Where Juliet
lives.” – Romeo
“Hang up philosophy! Unless philosophy can make a
Juliet, Displant a town, reverse a prince’s doom, It helps
not.” – Romeo
Romeo and Juliet- Violent
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Violent
“If all else fail, myself have power to die.” - Juliet
“Do thou but call my resolution wise,
And with this knife I’ll help it presently.” – Juliet
“O bid me leap, rather than marry Paris,
From the battlements of any tower.” – Juliet
Conclusion
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Overall, ‘Romeo and Juliet’ by Big Will Shakespeare is a
play in which the theme of love flourishes throughout.
Romeo and his lover Juliet both tragically die in their
momentous struggle to be together. Shakespeare uses a
variety of views of love through different characters.
Included in these views are that of our beloved Romeo
and Juliet. We feel that this is the most effective as it
illustrates multiple views of love