Examination of the different types of love in 'Romeo & Juliet' including an explanation of the Relationships through Language and Stagecraft
'Romeo & Juliet' was written by William Shakespeare and first performed in 1595 at the Globe Theatre in London. It is a play about love between a young boy and girl coming from bitterly opposed families. Many types of love are present within the play.
In Act 1 Scene 1, Romeo seems infatuated with Rosaline; however, it becomes apparent, through the language of the play, that it is not true love, but courtly or 'artificial' love. Although Romeo gives long and elaborate poetic descriptions of his love, he never mentions Rosaline's name. The audience quickly realises that he is in love with being in love. When Romeo speaks of his love for Rosaline, the language has a regular rhyme scheme and oxymoron's are used, for example: "O brawling love, O loving hate" - Act 1, Scene 1 line 167. The patterns of verse fit the words too easily as he tries to describe a love he cannot really feel. The stagecraft as Romeo describes his love would be to make sure that the audience understands how obsessive he is and how much he thinks he loves Rosaline. Romeo speaking loudly and clearly, but upset shows this. His eyes are wide open and he uses hand motions to pronounce his love more clearly. He is wandering around in the woods alone, full of self-pity. The effect of this is that he is in isolation. Romeo and Juliet are not present at the opening fight. This is because they are embodiments of love not hate. Benvolio and Lord Montague describe Romeo before the audience meets him; this builds a sense of expecting and anticipation.
The main theme of Act 1 Scene 2 is dutiful or arranged love. Lady Capulet, backed up by the nurse, describes Paris to Juliet. Juliet replies respectfully to her mother that she will love Paris if she is required to. "I'll look to like, if looking liking move." - Act 1, Scene 3 line 98. Juliet will do what is necessary to please her parents. Her language is respectful and gives the effect of speaking to please her mother and telling her mother what she wants to hear. The lack of variety in her vocabulary indicates simple duty, and thus, lack of thought and emotion. Juliet is endeavoring to fall in love because that is what her parents want. She is careful that she does not do anything that her parents would not like, for example: "But no more deep will I endart mine eye Than your consent gives strength to make fly." - Act 1, Scene 3 lines 99-100. The language in this section is metaphorical. It portrays Juliet's love as a dart that is being aimed at Paris. "Strength to make it fly" has the effect of her parents also choosing how much Juliet should love Paris, or, in the same metaphorical language being used, how hard the love dart should be thrown into Paris. The effect of this is that the love is for her parents, but not for Paris. The stagecraft for Juliet would make it perfectly clear to the audience that Juliet sees love as a duty. She wishes to fulfill her parents' command purely out of respect and love for her parents, and not Paris. Juliet would perhaps deliver her lines clearly; she would speak respectfully and with a smile, to give the impression that she really means what she is saying, but at the same time she is speaking with a hint of over compliance, giving the effect of insincerity.
'Romeo & Juliet' was written by William Shakespeare and first performed in 1595 at the Globe Theatre in London. It is a play about love between a young boy and girl coming from bitterly opposed families. Many types of love are present within the play.
In Act 1 Scene 1, Romeo seems infatuated with Rosaline; however, it becomes apparent, through the language of the play, that it is not true love, but courtly or 'artificial' love. Although Romeo gives long and elaborate poetic descriptions of his love, he never mentions Rosaline's name. The audience quickly realises that he is in love with being in love. When Romeo speaks of his love for Rosaline, the language has a regular rhyme scheme and oxymoron's are used, for example: "O brawling love, O loving hate" - Act 1, Scene 1 line 167. The patterns of verse fit the words too easily as he tries to describe a love he cannot really feel. The stagecraft as Romeo describes his love would be to make sure that the audience understands how obsessive he is and how much he thinks he loves Rosaline. Romeo speaking loudly and clearly, but upset shows this. His eyes are wide open and he uses hand motions to pronounce his love more clearly. He is wandering around in the woods alone, full of self-pity. The effect of this is that he is in isolation. Romeo and Juliet are not present at the opening fight. This is because they are embodiments of love not hate. Benvolio and Lord Montague describe Romeo before the audience meets him; this builds a sense of expecting and anticipation.
The main theme of Act 1 Scene 2 is dutiful or arranged love. Lady Capulet, backed up by the nurse, describes Paris to Juliet. Juliet replies respectfully to her mother that she will love Paris if she is required to. "I'll look to like, if looking liking move." - Act 1, Scene 3 line 98. Juliet will do what is necessary to please her parents. Her language is respectful and gives the effect of speaking to please her mother and telling her mother what she wants to hear. The lack of variety in her vocabulary indicates simple duty, and thus, lack of thought and emotion. Juliet is endeavoring to fall in love because that is what her parents want. She is careful that she does not do anything that her parents would not like, for example: "But no more deep will I endart mine eye Than your consent gives strength to make fly." - Act 1, Scene 3 lines 99-100. The language in this section is metaphorical. It portrays Juliet's love as a dart that is being aimed at Paris. "Strength to make it fly" has the effect of her parents also choosing how much Juliet should love Paris, or, in the same metaphorical language being used, how hard the love dart should be thrown into Paris. The effect of this is that the love is for her parents, but not for Paris. The stagecraft for Juliet would make it perfectly clear to the audience that Juliet sees love as a duty. She wishes to fulfill her parents' command purely out of respect and love for her parents, and not Paris. Juliet would perhaps deliver her lines clearly; she would speak respectfully and with a smile, to give the impression that she really means what she is saying, but at the same time she is speaking with a hint of over compliance, giving the effect of insincerity.
