Familial Love In Romeo And Juliet

“Love is made by two people, in different kinds of solitude” – Louis Aragon. Shakespeare presents a variety of feelings in Romeo and Juliet to appearance, emotions and relationships shared through Romeo and other characters. Romeo and Juliet depict a romantic relationship between “a pair of star-cross’d lovers” (prologue). Romeo also is committed to Mercutio with the familial love overriding the friendship bond. Unrequited love is seen through Romeo expressing his emotions on the unavailable relationship of himself and Rosaline.

“Friends are the family you chose yourself” -Jess C Scott; this is true in comparison with Romeo and Mercutio as they share a familial love. Mercutio's character is essential in the proceeding of the text; he allows for more contexts in conversations with Romeo. Mercutio’s main concern is for Romeo and for peace of both the Capulet and Montague households. Mercutio and Romeo are contrasting characters. Romeo is a romantic, a man who easily falls in love and believes that true love can conquer all. Meanwhile, Mercutio is a sceptic; he mocks love and those in it. Mercutio attempts to harden Romeos emotions; as he knows that Romeo is discouraged and injured; emotionally and physically easily. Humorous attitude is used by Mercutio to enforce Romeos decisions to be compromised under Mercutio’s pressure. Mercutio’s final actions were also the most honourable; as Mercutio fights on behalf of Romeo to Tybalt. Tybalt is odious towards Romeo’s name; causing

Mercutio to be agitated as he and Romeo hold the familial bond. In Mercutio’s last words he wishes a plague on both households "A plague o' both your houses!" (3.1.104). This final act of Mercutio’s is a turning point in the novel. Although Mercutio appears in only 4 scenes he makes a large impact in the text and in Romeos relationships, his mocking of Romeo and Rosaline’s relationship could be instigated as the start of the tragic events.
Romeo pines for Rosaline’s attention and affection, despondently the love is unrequited. The love Romeo has upon Rosaline is unreturned; Romeo loves her so dearly and sets her higher than all women in Verona “Where I may read who pass'd that passing fair?” (Scene 1, act 1, 240). Romeo is filled with such deep sorrow, as the one he loves does not share the favour; the sensation of love has been tarnished by the sadness of the unreciprocated love “this love I fell I, that fell no love in this” (Scene 1, Act 1, 180). Rosaline is never heard or seen in the text, the only representation we have of her is through Romeos word of mouth. As Rosaline has no representation other than Romeo; Romeo and Rosaline are companioned from the begging as this is the only way we have heard of the two; this misconception is soon broken as the text continues. Although silent her role plays an important aspect in the text as she is the first and only other relationship before Juliet. The love of Rosaline is based upon her beauty; he does not commit suicide when they cannot be together, he swears upon nothing and does not talk of misadventures to see her beauty unlike the relationship with Juliet. At the sight of Juliet he falls for her and questions his love and admirations with Rosaline previously “Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight, For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night” ( Scene 5, Act 1, 50).
The relationship shared between Romeo and Juliet is a romantic relationship; William Shakespeare presents this love fluently in the book with multiple gestures and conversations. Night plays an important role in Romeo and Juliet’s relationship, as it protects and conceals the relationship they contain. Romeo feels protected and concealed as “The darkness will hide me from them” (Act 2, Scene 2, 75). Juliet often calls for the night to arrive “bring in cloudy night immediately” (act 3, scene 2, 4) as then the lovers can meet in secrecy. Juliet compares Romeo as her day in the night “Come, night. Come, Romeo. Come, thou day in night” (Act 3, Scene 2, 15); during the day people are lively, and fulfilled, although this is how Romeo makes Juliet feel and consequently when they are together it feels like day. Their most romantic gestures are made during hours of darkness; the balcony scene where they profess their love for one another, the wedding night and their ultimate final night together. Although their relationship blossoms at night they cannot ultimately stop the day from approaching; “the lark’s voice tears us out of each other’s arms” (Act 3, scene 5, 20) “More and more light. More and more pain for us” (act 3, scene 5, 36) both Romeo and Juliet understands that the day compromises their secret love, as people are able to see. Their passion of darkness and of each other is seen with their gestures and conversations praising the night and banishing the day. The theme of love in Romeo and Juliet also extends beyond the love that Romeo and Juliet share.
Love is the main the theme in William Shakespeare’s text Romeo and Juliet; consisting of familial, unrequited and romantic love.

These different relationships of love all consist with Romeo; the familial love for Mercutio, unrequited love of Rosaline and the romantic love with Juliet. William Shakespeare has been praised for the romantic relationship of Romeo and Juliet; although the relationship would not be famous without the other bonds of love Romeo had for other characters in the

text.