'Shakespeare's Presentation of love in Romeo and Juliet Reveals a World of Passion, Violence and Death.' How does Shakespeare Explore These Themes?

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William Bowles.

‘Shakespeare’s Presentation of love in Romeo and Juliet Reveals a World of Passion, Violence and Death.’ How does Shakespeare Explore These Themes?

The passion displayed by Romeo and Juliet abruptly unlocks a world of love and inevitable tragedy. The linguistic stress on violence and death is foreboding because of the conflict of the opposing Capulets and Montagues. Throughout the play the connection of love and disaster is repeatedly made with the use of language and characterisation.

The eponymous characters display their passionate love in the balcony scene, when Juliet is concerned for Romeo’s safety: ‘And the place death, considering who thou art, if any of my kinsmen find you here.’ Even when their love is yet to mature, Juliet’s speech already anticipates Death as a consequence of their love. Juliet is submissive, but the power of her love turns her into a mature and self-sufficient woman. Romeo replies ‘Life were better ended by their hate, Than death prolonged, wanting of thy love.’ The language to this intrepid and spirited act provides an insight to Romeo’s highly amorous and profound character. Their love is like a flame destined to blaze fervidly, and no concern of death is capable of extinguishing it. As Romeo indicated here he would rather die than live without Juliet.

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The correlation love and death is portrayed with clever use of language in Act 3, when Juliet receives news of Romeo’s banishment. She says ‘I’ll to my wedding bed; And death, not Romeo take my maidenhead!’ Knowledge of the conclusion of the play reveals this statement as ironic. She is unwittingly tempting fate by closely associating her wedding bed and her death. Juliet is enhancing the connection between love and death by implying that Romeo’s death would be mental and physical torture and this anguish would result in a destined death. This demonstrates Juliet’s strong-willed and ardent character.

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