The Theme of Love Presented in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

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The Theme of Love Presented in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

Love, or a lack of it, is a very central theme in Romeo and Juliet and

often is the root of many arguments in the play. It is very difficult

to group love as just one thing as there are many versions of it.

A love which the capulets particularly, seem to possess is a love of

material possessions and power. For example, the Capulet ball (and

subsequent plans for the marriage) is an indication of wealth and the

ability to entertain on a lavish scale. Thus Shakespeare creates an

atmosphere of ease and opulence.

At the end of the play Shakespeare makes the point that no amount of

wealth and power, no statues erected in pure gold, can replace the

lives that are lost. By pursuing wealth and status, the Capulets

sacrifice the irreplaceable life of their only daughter.

Closely allied to the theme of love and of material possessions is the

love of parents for their children - and the manner in which,

specifically, the two main characters respond to such care and

control.

In the early scenes of the play Juliet is obedient to her parents'

wishes, prepared to go along with their suggestions. There is a

naivety about her answer: "I'll look to like, if looking move. / But

no more deep will I endart mine eye / Than your

consent gives strength to make it fly".

However, once she has discovered true love, Juliet changes and

matures. No longer is she the obedient and willing daughter. Instead

she chooses to side with her husband, as opposed to her family - even

in the face of loosing Tybalt who she speaks of as 'the best friend I

ever had' she still refers to Rom...

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...f the play as we see the two

families finally reconciled after so much strife.

Shakespeare believes in the healing influence of love, to 'conquer

all' as true love knows no limits. It drives Romeo and Juliet to

ignore the barriers of family feud and to defy parental authority. It

finds a way to consummate a marriage in spite of Romeo's exile and the

danger involved in his staying in Verona overnight. It finds a way to

prevent Juliet from marrying Paris. It finds a way, through death, to

unite the lovers eternally. Romeo and Juliet have become immortal by

the power of their passionate love. Here, as in so many of his other

plays, we see something positive emerge from human suffering and

personal commitment. The sacrifice of the two young people is not in

vain. The price is

been heavy - but healing takes place.

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