Show how 'Romeo and Juliet' presents dramatically the themes of Love and Hate

Show how ‘Romeo and Juliet’ presents dramatically the themes of Love and Hate

William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in April time 1564. He was the third of seven children. At eighteen he married Anne Hathaway, eventually having three children with her. Shakespeare did most of his theatre work in a district northeast of London, in two theatres owned by James Burbage, called the Theatre and the Curtain. In 1598, Burbage moved to Bankside and built the famous Globe Theatre. He wrote for many different social classes and types of people. He created many plays specially made to be preformed in the Globe Theatre. The Globe theatre was built in 1598 in London's Bankside district, but was burnt down in 1613. A new one was built from the remains of the old one. In 1603, Shakespeare's theatrical company was taken under the patronage of King James I, and became known as the King's Company. In 1608, the company acquired the Blackfriars Theatre. His plays were generally comedies, histories and tragedies. He wrote 17 comedies, 10 histories and 11 tragedies, along with 154 sonnets, in the space of twenty-three years. Shakespeare's works have been translated into every major living language, and his plays are continually performed all around the world. He has proven to be the greatest playwright the world has ever seen.

The story of Romeo and Juliet starts with a long feud that has been going on between two upper-class families of Verona for years. Two teenagers from either family, meet, fall deeply in love, and marry within two days, almost in secret. But after the wedding night, Juliet's cousin, Tybalt, kills Romeo's best friend, Mercutio, and Romeo kills Tybalt for this in anger. Romeo is banished to Mantua for what he's done, and meanwhile, Juliet's father has arranged a marriage for her, to Paris, kinsman to the Prince, not knowing she has already been wed. The star-crossed lovers are already doomed within the first day of marriage. Friar Lawrence gives Juliet a formula that acts like poison, but within two days she was to wake up again. Romeo not knowing this kills himself, as he thinks he cannot live without her. Juliet stirs, to find her beloved Romeo, on the floor, dead. She kills herself. They are then found and remembered, for the love that came out of the hate of these to enemies.

The whole play is revolved around the contrasting love and hate surrounding the city of Verona. Never would the families be the same after what was the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. The hate of the families made the lovers relationship all the more passionate, and their love made the hate of the families seem so much more pointless. The scenes vary between being angry and hateful, to loving and gentle. The constant change of emotion makes Romeo and Juliet an altogether more engaging play.

Many people are attracted to the romance of Romeo and Juliet, but are oblivious to the fact that there is just as much aggression and hate, as romance and love. The constant opposition throughout the play creates tension and anxiety for Romeo and Juliet’s relationship. The play is immediately introduced with violence, as the prologue describes the families hate for one another, before Romeo or Juliet are even mentioned. By the third line it says ‘from ancient grudge to new mutiny’, which shows that hate is a key part of the play, ‘Star-crossed lovers’ tell us that Romeo and Juliet were of bad fate from the very beginning. Shakespeare used lots of oxymorons to create a feeling of conflict.

Act 1 scene 1 is a scene made up of violence. The first line has a Capulet saying ‘we’ll not carry coals’, meaning will not suffer insults. Their swords are drawn and Tybalt, a Capulet, fights with Benvolio, a Montague. The Prince is outraged at the rioting. He says ‘rebellious subjects, enemies to peace’ and ‘hear the sentence of you moved Prince’. He is clearly angry, and continues, saying, ‘Have thrice disturbed the quiet of our streets, your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace’. This scene proves that the feud has been going on for a long time, they have disturbed Verona with fights three times, and this is the Prince’s last warning. The scene also uses the snowball effect to bring in characters. It starts off with more trivial characters, the servants talking, eventually introducing important characters- Tybalt, the Prince, Montague and Lady Montague, Capulet and Lady Capulet, Benvolio and Romeo. The servants talking is a good introduction to the play, as you hear what is going on within the households, and how even the servants are violent towards the opposing households. Gregory, a Capulet servant says ‘the quarrel is between our masters and us their men’. They also refer to Montagues as ‘dogs’ and Sampson says ‘I will push Montague’s men from then wall, and thrust his maids to the wall’. This proves Sampson would like to ‘dominate’ the Montague’s maids, and push the men into the gutter. The characters are already talking in a brutal way. They then argue with the Montague servants, eventually introducing Tybalt into the scene. Slowly bringing in characters is a cunning way to help the audience remember them, as there is not too much to handle at once, yet almost all of the characters can be introduced in that one scene. Tybalt comes in as a character full of anger, and acts on impulse when he feels rage, and is also portrayed as very arrogant as soon as he says ‘Turn thee, Benvolio, look upon thy death’. He obviously thinks he will win if they need to fight and he does not stand down. He says 36 lines, and every one of them is full of hate. He says to Benvolio ‘What, draw and talk of peace? I hate the word, as I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee’. Tybalt refers to Romeo as a ‘villain’, in Act 1 Scene 5, and is the only Capulet that will not tolerate a Montague being at their feast, one again portraying how Tybalt acts on instinct when he is angry. His intolerance is obvious when he says ‘I’ll not endure him’. When he calms down he says ‘ now seeming sweet, converts to bitt’rest gall’. Bitt’rest gall means bitterest poison, just one of Tybalt harsh, intense, fiery lines. Around him there are people dancing, happy, and the contrast between Tybalt’s emotion and their emotions make this scene even more intense, especially whilst introducing Juliet’s character for the first time. All this put together makes the scene more chaotic, captivating the audience, as almost always Tybalt’s decisions are important ones, and could change the outcome of the story.

The start of the play seizes the audience’s attention immediately, it starts with anger, and fighting, and from this scene you would not be able to tell this play is at all about love. In Shakespearean times, there was nothing to warn the audience the play was starting, such as lights and curtains, so scenes like this were used to start, and immediately grab the audience’s attention. This is a typical one, the arguing and snowball effect of the characters means the audience has to keep watching all the time to keep up with this hectic scene.

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Act 2 Scene 2 is an altogether different scene from Act 1 scene 1 or Act 1 scene 5. Firstly, only two characters are involved. It is the first time Romeo and Juliet have a long conversation without anyone else in the scene. The love in this scene is disturbed by the ever growing anxiety of Juliet, thinking Romeo will be murdered if found by the Capulets. Romeo says ‘My name, dear saint, is hateful to myself, Because it is an enemy to thee, had I it written, I would tear the word’. This shows how much Romeo wishes he did not have the name he has, but it is clear that no matter how much they dislike it, fate made them enemies, and if he had the choice, he would tear the name apart. Juliet says ‘The orchard walls are high and hard to climb, And the place death, considering who thou art, If any of my kinsmen find thee here’. She worries that Romeo will not be able to climb the walls of the Capulet house and escape, and that he will die if any of her family find him.

The Prince has given them warnings about violence on the streets ever happening again. But yet again the peace is disturbed as Mercutio and Tybalt fight, leading to the death of Mercutio. At the beginning of the scene Benvolio says ‘By head, here come the Capulet’s. Mercutio replies with, ‘by heel I don’t care’. This shows how Mercutio seems unbothered by the Capulet’s arrival. Between lines 40 and 44 Mercutio begins to get angry, and threatens Tybalt with his sword. Romeo then enters and Tybalt says ‘well, peace be with you sir, here comes my man’. Tybalt is only interested in Romeo, after Romeo crashed the Capulet’s party. Tybalt calls him a ‘villain’ and Romeo then in lines 55-58, explains that there is a reason he has a reason to love Tybalt, which excuses his rage, and that if Tybalt calls him a villain, he obviously doesn’t know him. Tybalt tells him to draw. Romeo refuses to fight, trying to keep peace, and this enrages Mercutio. He calls it ‘vile submission’, and challenges Tybalt himself. They draw, and no mercy is shown between either men. Romeo steps in the way, and Tybalt thrusts the sword into Mercutio, right underneath the arm of Romeo. The worst violence occurs here, as Mercutio, a much loved and witty, character is killed, because of Tybalt, the violent, hateful, bitter character. This shows how the evil character has survived in this part, often making the audience feel as angry as the good characters. Mercutio later plagues both their houses. It could always be questioned whether he was the one who caused Romeo and Juliet to die.

Tybalt has killed Romeo’s good friend, and Romeo is vengeful for this. This fighting scene is quite unique as it uses Revenge Tragedy which creates heightened emotion. It is a lot more gripping as Tybalt and Romneo are fighting to one of their deaths. The variation in the deaths is important as otherwise it would be repetitive for the audience to watch. ‘My very friend, hath this mortal hurt In my behalf’. He thinks it is his fault and now sees it as his duty to slay Tybalt. In line 115 he mentions how full of fury he is, and says ‘Either thou or I, or both, must go with him’. This line creates more tension than in the duel between Mercutio and Tybalt because you know there are only two outcomes to this fight. Tybalt accepts to fight, as would have been predicted, and the fight is generally a lot quicker and not as hesitant, as they both are solely out to kill each other.

In the Baz Luhrmann film Mercutio’s death is quite unexpected and is not as horrific as Tybalt’s, partly because it happens in the day, and partly because Mercutio jokes right up to his death. The change in weather also creates a harsher effect on Tybalt’s death. Tybalt’s death appears more horrific, because the gun shot fire pierces the silence, and when realisation hits Romeo on what he has done, you can feel the panic that he feels. This point is probably the most stressful and violent point in the whole book, and this is where the audience are at the edge of their seats for Romeo. It is also one to one, with no-one else involved, so there is no-one for Romeo to depend on.

In act 3 scene 5, Lord Capulet attempts to force Juliet into marrying Paris, who is kinsman to the Prince of Verona. When Juliet refuses, Lord Capulet acts out in much anger. He calls her a ‘minion’ meaning spoilt brat, and threatens to ‘drag thee on a hurdle thither’. A hurdle is a frame on which prisoners were dragged to be executed, which shows the just how angry he is towards Juliet. Between lines 160 to 164, he tells Juliet never to talk to him again, or look him in the face again, if she does not marry Paris. He also calls her a ‘disobedient wretch’. Between lines 176 and 195, Lord Capulet mocks Juliet. He mimics what she says and tells her that is she does not wed Paris, she shall not be allowed to live with him, and should she get married, will not hang, beg, die and starve on the streets of Verona. He uses many words linked to death and pain and his violent language frightens Juliet, as if blackmailing Juliet into marrying Paris, so she has no choice but to accept the proposal.

Paris in fact dies in act 5 scene 3, because of the hate between the two high-class families of Verona. Romeo and Paris fight, and Paris is killed, because Romeo wants to get to Juliet’s body so desperately. Paris steps forward to challenge Romeo, as Romeo forces entry into the tomb. Paris says ‘This is that banished Montague, That murdered my love’s cousin’. Paris does not know the truth, and believes Romeo is there to do some ‘villainous shame’ to the dead bodies. He continues, ‘Obey and go with me. For thou must die’. He wants to arrest Romeo. Romeo says ‘I beseech thee, youth, Put not another sin upon my head’. But Paris and Romeo fight anyway, as Romeo is so desperate to see Juliet, and Romeo murders him. He only later finds out it is Paris whom he has killed. If it had not been for the hate of these to families, it would not have happened. Paris simply was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and was unnecessarily killed.

There are many violent scenes and lines in Romeo and Juliet, but what cannot be forgotten is the love that is also within Romeo and Juliet, which attracts audiences so much. It is clear the love would not have seemed so powerful and passionate without the violence but the love in this play proves very well portrayed. Romantic lines are remembered from this play, as love is so vividly described.

At the start of the play Romeo is not yet in love with Juliet. He is in love with a girl called Rosaline. This is the first idea of love within the play. Romeo's love for Rosaline is quick, impulsive, and unfortunately, unrequited. She does not love Romeo back, and therefore Romeo is mourning for her. More importantly though, Romeo is not really in love with Rosaline. He is in love with the idea of being in love. This love is in sharp contrast to the love that Romeo will later feel for Juliet - true love. He talks of “O brawling love, O loving hate”. Shakespeare puts lots of antithesis and oxymoron into Romeo speech, which end up looking mismatched and chaotic. They are supposed to show he is confused about love, but his feelings are portrayed as fake.

Romeo sees Juliet at the Capulet feast and falls instantly in love with her. Rosaline is simply a long-lost memory at this point. Even Romeo admits that he never really saw what true beauty or love was until this night, that he beholds Juliet. It is at this point that Romeo himself realizes the difference in the love he thought he felt for Rosaline and the love he now feels for Juliet. The first fourteen lines of their meeting are written in a sonnet. Romeo refers to Juliet as a ‘Saint’, and refers to himself as a ‘Pilgrim’. This gives the impression he is seeking out for her, and is destined to fined her and kiss her hand as pilgrims do to saints. The religious references make Juliet appear more innocent, and unfound and untouched. It is clear they feel true love, not artificial, shallow love, like it was between Romeo and Rosaline.

The next time the lovers meet is in Act2 Scene2 during the famous balcony scene. This scene was well adapted to be performed in Elizabethan times as there was an upper level to the stage which could be used as a balcony. Romeo begins talking about her, referring to her as his ‘fair sun’, and he also says, ‘the brightness in her cheeks would shame those stars’, and says birds would sing and think it was not night if they saw her, implying he thinks she is beautiful, and brighter than stars. The scene is full of many endearing metaphors. When Juliet realises Romeo is there, they talk naturally, and more romantically than in any other scene, which makes the audience immediately forget they had only previously met the night before. She tells him to ‘be some other name’, and does not see what is in a name, for they love each other, and the family feud means nothing to her. Therefore if Romeo was to disregard his name and “retain that dear perfection”, she would be all for the relationship.

At the end of Act 2, Romeo and Juliet are secretly wed. ‘It cannot countervail the exchange of joy That one short minute gives me in her sight’, Romeo tells Friar Lawrence, meaning nothing can stop their love, even if he sees her for only a minute. Shakespeare uses imagery about love-devouring death, which makes their relationship seem stronger. They also kiss in this scene which is sweet and romantic, yet it was only shown on the third stage which was not seen by people, as it would not be appropriate to marry a man and boy. Act 3 Scene 5 is romantic, yet heartbreaking. It is just after their wedding night, and after Tybalt’s murder. Juliet says ‘wilt thou be gone?’. She doesn’t want Romeo to leave after their romantic night, so Romeo stays. Juliet then realises what it could mean if he did stay and says ‘O no be gone, more light and light it grows, more light and light, more dark and dark our woes!’ As the day gets lighter, she realises it is more dangerous for him. This tension within their relationship, makes it feel more adventurous, and heightens the passion. She wants him to stay, but is doing what she thinks is best for Romeo.

In Act 4 scene 1 Friar Lawrence helps hatch a plan for Juliet to be reunited with her beloved Romeo, without having to commit bigamy. ‘Thou shalt continue two and fourty hours, and then awake as from a pleasant sleep’, he says, as he gives her a poison that will not actually kill her, so she can be with Romeo in the next two days. The beginning of this scene shows Juliet prepared to kill herself as she is distraught over the current events. The affect her love for Romeo has upon herself is significantly revealed in this scene consistently. The imagery forces the audience to create images in their minds of what Juliet is prepared to risk, she says horrific things such as, ‘where serpents are; chain me with roaring bears’, and ‘O’ercovered quite with dead men’s rattling bones’.

The tragic ending of the play is one of the most heart-wrenching, suspenseful loves scenes to have ever been written. As Romeo enters the tomb, he assumes Juliet is dead, as he has been told. He has gone there to be with her while he commits suicide. He drinks the poison as she stirs. ‘Here’s to my love! Thus with a kiss I die.’ Just after, Juliet awakens and sees what has happened. ‘O churl, drunk all, and left no friendly drop to help me after?’ So where she would have drunk the poison she instead stabs herself with a dagger. Romeo has more words before he dies, but Juliet has a more shocking death, showing that she would be in more agony if she was alive without Romeo, than the pain she would be in with a dagger through her body. This is often seen as fate as they were ‘star-crossed lovers’, ensuring them bad luck, which tells us they would never have been able to save each other, no matter how close they were to stopping each other’s deaths. The sad part is, death meant they could be together, happy, without the judgement of their two families upon them.

Overall Romeo is a hugely successful play, but the question is would it have been if there had not been for the constant contrast between love and hate? The violence proved to make Romeo and Juliet more passionate, and it is often the passion of this play that keeps the audience interested. Had it not been for the violence that was Tybalt, Romeo may not have seemed so sweet. If there had been no violence at all, Romeo and Juliet could have had a normal relationship, and if there had been no love in it, there would be no more fuel for violence. The constant rollercoaster of feeling and emotions of loathing and love created a original, emotional play, which remains one of the most enchanting plays of all time. The deaths of Romeo and Juliet put an end to the ongoing grudges between the families, “O brother Montague, give me thy hand”. Their love stopped the violence, showing love will prevail hate. Shakespeare put his characters through terrible circumstances, and watching the transformation of the characters is truly captivating.

Jessica Fleig 3583