Probably one of the most dominant hates which exists is one between Tybalt and Montague’s in particular, Romeo. The first instant that the audience sees Tybalt become infuriated takes place in the party. Where there is a contrast between Romeo’s passion for Juliet “What lady’s that which doth enrich the hand of yonder knight?” and Tybalt’s hatred for Romeo “To strike him dead, I hold it not a sin”. This suggests that although both love and hate are present at the party that love seems to come out on top, as Tybalt can not slay the “villain that is hither come in spite” and yet Romeo can still express his love for Juliet”
In act1 scene4 Mercutio makes a speech which is trying to persuade Romeo that like his dreams he can not control reality. The speech made is a metaphor for fate, which he explains to Romeo either out of jealousy (hate), or for wanting the best for his friend (love). This again shows how both love and hate motivate characters.
Yet again the audience sees Tybalt’s anger in act3 scene1 as he is prowling around searching for Romeo. As Mercutio sees this and out of the love which comes from loyalty and friendship he stands up to the bully Tybalt” I will not budge for no man’s pleasure”. This shows the audience that Mercutio is motivated by a love for Romeo and a will to please” find me a grave man”. Which in turn contrasts Tybalt’s motivation, which can be either a love to hate or a love for senseless acts of violence or even a love for his family. Tybalt’s aggressive behavior can also be interpreted as an act of pride for his family or a simple act of hate. This implies that although others see him as being motivated by hate he might think differently and think that his actions towards others are acceptable and morally right.
A good case of this is of Romeo avenging the” slain Mercutio” by disposing of the “ villain” Tybalt. This suggests that like Mercutio he is also motivated by love which also came from loyalty and friendship. Leading the audience to think that the play must also be about different types of love whether it’s the love from loyalty which Romeo and Mercutio experience or the love of violence which Tybalt experiences.
The times where the play has been linked with hate are usually to do with the Capulet family in particular Lady and Lord Capulet. As Capulets are driven by pride and are aggressive towards others they tend to lack respect for people’s emotions in particular Juliet’s emotions to marrying Paris. The Capulets’ forcing marriage on Juliet can be seen as a over protective love for Juliet as they only want her to marry the best person there is and in the Capulets opinion that happens to be the Paris. So the Capulets see them selves forcing her into marriage out of love while others can interpret this as Lord Capulet to get an heir to his empire after the loss of Tybalt. (Develop) quote
Juliet as a result of the pressure put on her to marry Paris goes to someone other than her parents to seek guidance. The Nurse’s advice to Juliet is “I think you are happy in this second match for it excels your first”. This suggests that the Nurse is giving this advice to Juliet out of dutiful love for her and the friendship that has built up. Although bewildered by what she has just heard Juliet exclaims “ Speak’st though from the heart?” This reveals that she feels back stabbed by what the Nurse have just advised her with and thinks that what the Nurse has just said is not actually advice coming from dutiful love but more advice that comes from hate of Romeo.
Romeo like Juliet also requires guidance
At the very end of the play it can be seen that both Romeo and Juliet are both motivated by love and hate for each other. As Romeo is taken in by Juliet’s beauty” Death…had no power yet upon thy beauty” he commits suicide showing that he will do anything to be with her love and will take his own life as he would hate being any where else which isn’t near Juliet. By the actions in this scene the audience sees how the play is about love as the two lovers are reunited rather than the hate that the two families have towards each other.
The Prince’s epitaph tells the audience that this play is more about love than hate as the families of the feud have stopped hating each other because the love which Romeo and Juliet expressed was unique. This could be interpreted as being the core of the story while it could be argued that it is neither about love or hate but about learning from mistakes.
To conclude, the play can be interpreted about either being about love or hate as each and every character is motivated by forms of love and hate causing the play to maintain consistency in love and hate and so are there for balanced in the end. As there is no longer love between Romeo and Juliet as they are dead and there isn’t any hate between the two feuding families as they are mourning over the loss of their children.