Analyse the significance of passion (in all its manifestations) for the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet

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Analyse the significance of passion (in all its manifestations) for the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet

In the tragedy Romeo and Juliet there are many forms to passion; these references are made in a variety of ways, ranging from parental passion to the classic loving passion shared between two people. But there is an underlying hint right from the very start that there is an inevitable notion that this love will never happen because of the family feud.

 At the very start of the book, the chorus introduces the heated feud between the Montague and Capulet households. This feud has spanned a long time and is an ‘ancient grudge’ that has continued throughout the family, from the parents to the children and even into the servants of the households. The word ‘two’ is used, frequently, not just to refer to Romeo and Juliet but to show the obstacles they face to show the opposites as rivals and not just families.

  We see rivalry induced by the feud where servants from the two houses meet in the town of Verona. When Sampson and Gregory, servants of the Capulet household meet and clash with Abram and Balthasar, of the Montague household,  the rivalry is shown from the outset, ‘ My naked weapon is out. Quarrel, I will back thee’. This is in the first meeting of the servants, where Sampson explains he will back Gregory if he happens to get into a fight, and surely enough, they do get into a fight, household against household which is then broken up by Benvolio, ‘Put up your swords, you know what to do’. When he says this, it brings the realisation that they are in public, but the hot headed Tybalt does not agree and wants to fight. He says, ‘Peace? I hate the word’ and they fight again. This is only then broken up by the officers, and Prince, even though the heads of the families arrive and actually want to fight each other themselves! ‘Give me my long sword, ho!’ this is Capulet speaking to his wife, asking for his sword, but this is then stopped by Prince Escales. This starts the notions of the tragic end; it brings them together but also leads them to their deaths.

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  We first meet Romeo, ‘moping’ around feeling sorry for himself, and isolating himself. He is a typical petrachan lover solipsistic, which means feeling sorry for himself and being self absorbed speaking in complex language, using oxy morons , like ‘feather of lead.’ obviously an opposite as feathers are very light and not heavy. ‘Cold fire’ and of course fire is not cold! These are used to emphasise Romeo’s feelings at this present time, he is feeling quite confused and discarded because his love is not reciprocated by Rosaline, but he is making sure he feels it and everyone ...

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