"which but their children's end nought could remove"
Such a ruthless feud is called a blood feud. This means any offence commited by one family against the other would end in a duel unto the death. During which, no mercy is to be shown.
Set in hatred yet focused on love, the whole play thrives on contrast, which makes the use of oxymorons in Shakespeare's language so appropriate. For example:-
"loving hate"
One obvious contrast is that of Romeo and Tybalt. Romeo speaks a lot about love and Shakespeare uses soft, tender language when Romeo speaks. He is full of love and his love is returned by everyone, with few exceptions. He embarks upon everything in life with great passion, he respects all life and honours his family with
pride. Romeo believes stongly in Christian in the Christian virtues such as love, keeping the peace and forgiving enemies. One important thing to remember about Romeo is that he is in love with love itself:-
"love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs"
Tybalt, on the other hand is the complete opposite. He feeds on the fear other people have for him, this is mainly because he is vicious with everybody and respects the life of no-one but himself, and he is the symbol of everything that is bad in the world. He loves nothing more than to pick fights with the Montegues and usually has to be forced to respect his elders. He is a vein and ruthless character and Shakespeare uses such language for his parts.
The contrast that themes the whole play creates many pressures for Romeo and Juliet and alongside the feud this produces many reasons why they should not fall in love. They should be aware of the dangers their exchanged professions of love would create. Although, Romeo and Juliet are still children and their intensions, honest. They see nothing but a nam in montegue or capulet, for example, whem Juliet is speaking with Romeo in the balcony scene:-
"a rose by any other name would smell as sweet"
I think that they set an example to their families, who unfortunately cannot see past the thick fog of hatred, they created for themselves, to stop the "misadventured piteous overthrows" that take the lives of their beloved children.
All of this together shows what an outstanding act of heroism their love is. They demonstrate great courage in their, far from idealistic, search for love.
Romeo and Juliet have deeper meanings aside from their characters. The names themselves have great meaning. Juliet for example dirrives from the month of july. It is interpreted as glowing radiance and summer essance. Someone called by this name is often thought of as having a sunny personality and speak with a touch of bird-song in her voice.
The play even has fate held against the "star-crossed lovers". With all these pressures, murders and vicious brawls set against these innocent youths, on their quest for love and Shakespeare's language throwing out emotional adjectives and powerful oxymorons, the audience can't help sympathising with these lovers and feel sorry for the pain they have suffered in their short-lived lives.
