How Shakespeare Presents the Theme of Love in Romeo and Juliet

How Shakespeare Presents the Theme of Love in Romeo and Juliet

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Shakespeare presents the theme of love in different ways for each of

the characters and for some, such as Romeo, Shakespeare's portrayal of

this theme changes as the play progresses.

Shakespeare's first portrayal of the theme of love is in the first act

when Romeo is talking of his love for Rosaline with Benvolio. Here

Romeo is very confused as he uses oxymorons such as 'o brawling love,

o loving hate,' (line 107) which shows how he is confused by his

relationship with Rosaline as she does not return his love. Romeo

continues to speak about the pain of love as he says 'being vexed, a

sea nourished with lovers tears.' (Line 186) This shows how Romeo

feels that he is being tormented by his love and he also, in this line

speaks of all the lovers who have shed tears over their love and says

how this is keeping the sea levels high by saying that the tears

nourish the sea. On the following line Romeo says 'A madness most

discrete.' (Line 187.) This line shows love in another light - as

madness. Romeo feels that he is being driven mad by his love for

Rosaline.

The portrayal of Romeo's love changes entirely when, at the Capulet

party, Romeo meets Juliet. When Romeo sees Juliet for the first time

he begins to speak of Juliet's beauty. He says 'She doth teach the

torches to burn bright,' (Line 41 I v.) This shows how Romeo feels

about Juliet and how he throws away his love for Rosaline. This shows

how false Romeo's first lo...

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...of love is shown. This is

Lord Capulet's view of love. He sees love as a business deal. He sees

Juliet as his daughter and by this he thinks of her as his possession

which he can use for his own advantage. This is shown when he says

'And you'll be mine, I'll give you to my friend.' (Line 192 III v)

Here he is trying to force Juliet to marry Paris so that he can enter

into the royal line without regarding Juliet's feelings. When he says

'you be mine' he is showing his lack of regard love and how he thinks

of Juliet s his property.

Shakespeare's presentation of the theme of love varies greatly

throughout the play and from one character to another. It can be see

how the attitudes to love of the characters change especially Romeo

and it can also be seen how Shakespeare presents each character views

on love differently.