Discuss the theme of love in Romeo and Juliet:

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Discuss the theme of love in Romeo and Juliet:

Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is the most famous love story in English literary tradition. The love shown in Romeo and Juliet is a sharp contrast with the hatred between the two families. This, in a way, makes each seem magnified as they are opposite. The theme of love is shown throughout the play in many different forms, for example; the love between families, passionate love, love between friends and many different types.

In the first scene of the play the theme of love is shown between the two servants Sampson and Gregory. Who clearly have some sort of bond shown by the light hearted banter about sexual innuendo:

Tis true, and therefore women being the weaker vessels are ever thrust to the wall:’

 Showing they have some from of friendship because it is a fairly rude conversation and it is unlikely that they would talk about this sort of thing to people they were unfamiliar with. This is written in prose. Shakespeare may have written in this style to show the conversion between Prince, Lord Capulet and Lord Montague show they are of a higher class. This scene is written in blank verse, to break up the rhythm.

The theme of love and loyalty carries on as the servants Sampson and Gregory have for their household in this case the Capulet household. They are willing to fight and, perhaps even die, for the respect and honour of the Capulet’s. In the line:

‘I do bite my thumb sir.’

In this scene we see it carries the love that Tybalt has for his family, the Capulet’s. This also shows that Tybalt is a very hot tempered young man who is up for a fight. It is very hard to distinguish whether Tybalt is fighting because he loves his Family or because he wants to fight.

What drawn and talk of peace? I hate the word,

 As I hate hell, all Montague’s and thee:’  

The dispute that takes place between the Capulet’s and the Montague begins a city brawl. Both the Capulet’s and Montague’s are willing to risk their lives in a city brawl because they are loyal to each household. As the next theme is continued this is revealed when Benvolio talks to Romeo about his feelings for Rosaline. The love Romeo feels for Rosaline is called Petrarchan love. This grips Romeo as he understands that Rosaline is not going to be “hit my cupid’s arrow”. This makes Romeo love sick. Benvolio shows concern for him,  showing that he cares. Romeo’s misery is a sharp contrast to the love he feels throughout the play. He feels sick with love he can’t do anything else but pine for her.

 ‘Away form light steals home my heavy son’  

 Shakespeare uses oxymoron’s to describe the good feelings that love can give you but also the bad. The positive oxymorons are used to describe the good feelings that are typical of requited love. The negative oxymoron’s represent the bad feelings of unrequited love. This Main one’s that are used to describe the lovesick Romeo are ‘heavy and lightness’, ‘feather and lead’ and ‘cold and fire’.

The other type of love is also shown is the love between in each family. This is shown because Lady Montague is very concerned about her son. Romeo describes the love he feels for Rosaline whilst Benvolio tries to distract Romeo by saying there are plenty more women out there. Romeo describes Rosaline’s beauty without describing anything bad about her.

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‘That as she dies, with beauty dies with her.’

This is a typical sign shown of some one in love, as he only sees the good things about her and portrays her as perfect.

The subsequent theme of dutiful love is revealed when Paris asks Lord Capulet for Juliet’s hand in Marriage. It is called dutiful love because of the dutifulness of the fondness that is present in an arranged marriage. There are many different views in the Capulet household of what Juliet should do. Lord Capulet still sees her as a child and doesn’t think she ...

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