Romeo & Juliet – Did love or hate win in the end?
Romeo & Juliet - Did love or hate win in the end?
Introduction
Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet around the 1590s. During much of the twentieth century, critics tended to disparage this play in comparison to the four great tragedies that Shakespeare wrote in (Hamlet, King Lear, Macbeth, and Othello). Romeo and Juliet appears to lack the psychological depth and the structural complexity of Shakespeare's later tragedies. But over the past three decades or so, many scholars have altered this assessment, effectively upgrading its status within Shakespeare. They have done this by discarding comparative evaluation and judging Romeo and Juliet as a work of art in its own right. Viewed from this new perspective, Shakespeare's drama of the "star-crossed" young lovers is seen to be an extraordinary work. The latter include the antithesis between love and hate, the correlative use of a light and dark polarity, and the prominent status accorded to Fortune and its expression in the dreams, omens and forebodings that presage its tragic conclusion.
Scene I
In a public place of Verona, we first see two servants of the Capulet family armed with swords, ready to fight with any "dog of the house of Montague." They express the enmity toward Montague in vulgar terms. Just then, two servants of the Montague household enter and the two sides begin to fight. The fight ends temporarily when Benvolio, a Montague and a cousin of Romeo's, appears and beats down their swords. Immediately after this, however, a member of the Capulet family, Tybalt, bursts in, and begins to fight with Benvolio. The fight attracts others, including Old Capulet and his wife, Old Montague and his wife, and the Prince of Verona, Escalus. The Prince commands these rebellious subjects to stop breaking the civil peace, complaining that these street battles have erupted on several occasions, and threatening lives of the combatants. Old Montague asks Benvolio about the cause of the argument at hand, but Lady Montague's concern is with their son, Romeo. She is glad that Romeo was not involved in the fight, but she then says that her son has been in a melancholy and depressed state of mind. Romeo enters, appearing downcast and distracted. Romeo explains to Benvolio that he is madly in love with a woman named Rosaline. Who is sworn to chastity? Benvolio says that Romeo should "forget to think of her," and his friend replies that he will stop thinking about Rosaline if Benvolio can show him "a mistress that is passing fair". During scene I there is a lot of hatred and anger between the two families. The servants of both families who decide to fight express this. One man offers peace. However, Tybalt quickly rejects it in a stubborn manner. ''I hate the word, as I hate hell, all Montague and thee.'' From this argument it is very clear that love will find it tough to defeat the hate that has split the families apart for so long.
Scene II
On another street in Verona, where a young noble, County Paris, first speaks with Old Capulet about the Duke's threatened punishment and then states his desire to marry Capulet's daughter, Juliet. The head of the Capulet clan initially objects to this proposal, saying that Juliet is too young (not yet fourteen years old), but he then says that he will consent to the marriage if Paris can win his daughter's love. The aged patriarch instructs a servant to deliver invitations to a banquet that he is planning, and leaves the stage in the company of Paris. Left alone, the servant says that he has a dilemma: he is illiterate and cannot read the list of guests. Just then, Romeo and Benvolio pass by, and Romeo agrees to read the list. After he finds the name of Rosaline among the invited guests. Romeo plans to attend the banquet and Benvolio says that he will show Romeo some other maid at the feast. Romeo is actually grabbing the chance to humiliate the Capulets on their own turf. By going to the banquet, he is offending the Capulets in the biggest way possible. There is not much hate or love in this scene but, when Romeo goes to the banquet he is in for a surprise.
Scene III
At the house of the Capulets, Juliet's Nurse fondly recalls her mistress's childhood to Juliet's mother, Lady Capulet. When Juliet arrives, Lady Capulet sounds her daughter out about her willingness to marry, and Juliet says that she has not considered it. Her mother says "Well, think of marriage now," noting that many Veronese girls who are younger than Juliet are already wives. Lady Capulet tells her daughter that Paris will be at the banquet that night and directs her to "Read o'er the volume of young Paris' face." This quote shows that Juliet's mother wants her to look at Paris and then reconsider her first initial thoughts of him. In turn then say yes to the disagreeable question.
Scene IV
In front of Capulet's house that same night, Romeo, Benvolio and another character, Mercutio (a relative of the Prince and of Paris as well as a friend to Romeo) approach the festivities inside. Mercutio displays a brilliant wit in a piece about Queen Mab who holds sway in dreams. When Romeo objects that his friend talks of nothing, Mercutio replies that Romeo is correct for his subject is dreams "which are the children of an idle brain". Romeo then speaks of having a premonition of "untimely death," but his mood changes abruptly as he ...
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Scene IV
In front of Capulet's house that same night, Romeo, Benvolio and another character, Mercutio (a relative of the Prince and of Paris as well as a friend to Romeo) approach the festivities inside. Mercutio displays a brilliant wit in a piece about Queen Mab who holds sway in dreams. When Romeo objects that his friend talks of nothing, Mercutio replies that Romeo is correct for his subject is dreams "which are the children of an idle brain". Romeo then speaks of having a premonition of "untimely death," but his mood changes abruptly as he anticipates the festivities ahead and says to his companions, "On, lusty gentlemen!" A small hint of hat in this scene because Romeo has had a premonition of death. However, the festivities inside draw the men in and the evening awaits them.
Scene V
Now in the Capulet house where servants are preparing for the nights banquet. Guests arrive and are greeted by Old Capulet and his wife. Romeo enters with his crew and falls instantaneously in love with the beautiful, Juliet, jettisoning his love for Rosaline. The fiery Tybalt recognizes Romeo's voice as that of a Montague and makes ready to fight with him, but Old Capulet says that Romeo is a "virtuous and well-govern'd youth" and that Tybalt should leave him alone. Tybalt reluctantly obeys. This provides Romeo and Juliet with the opportunity to speak to each other face-to-face. Romeo's first words to Juliet are that he is an unworthy pilgrim come to the shrine of Juliet's beauty. Juliet replies with, encouraging him in this vein. In a series of short exchanges, they kiss. When Juliet departs, Romeo asks the Nurse who the young woman is and learns that she is the daughter of the Capulets; Juliet then asks about the identity of the young man and is told that he is the son of Montague. Like Romeo, she finds it cruelly ironic that "My only love springs from my only hate". The cruel news is very hard to take on both parts. Juliet's last quote is saying that she loves the person she is supposed to hate. Love wins in this scene because Romeo and Juliet have met and have now starting their adventure together.
Act II
Scene II
At last the famous balcony scene that eluded the first scene of the play. Set in the beautiful garden of the Capulet manor, in which Romeo sees Juliet appear at a window and says "But soft, what light through yonder window breaks". Unaware that her love stands in the shadows below, Juliet utters the famous lines: "O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name". Romeo reveals himself and the two profess their mutual love, saying that what divides them is merely their last names. Juliet expresses apprehension that their romance will be tragically extinguished. She is called away from Romeo by the Nurse, but reappears and the two agree to marry. She exits again, but appears yet a third time, as the two make plans to communicate with each other before exchanging fond farewells. A lot of love in this scene because finally Romeo and Juliet believe that they can conquer their true love and forget what divides them. Romeo quickly replies to Juliet, saying that all divides is our last names. Which is true to a certain extent. During this scene Romeo says, "For stony limits cannot hold love out". Romeo is showing how strong their love because not even a wall can stop them.
Scene III
Still in Verona, the setting now shifts to the cell of Friar Laurence, another major character who will try to help Romeo and Juliet to marry in the hope that this will end the feud between the warring families of the city, thereby turning rancor into pure love. Romeo enters as Friar Laurence is gathering medicinal herbs. He tells the good friar about his love for Juliet, "the fair daughter of the rich Capulet." Father Laurence lightly chastises Romeo for having so quickly forgotten his former love, Rosaline. But he agrees to help the youth and his beloved, saying that they must move "wisely and slow, they stumble that run fast". Friar Lawrence is telling Romeo that they should take their relationship slowly otherwise it will collapse and forgotten.
Scene IV
On the city's streets, Benvolio tells Mercutio that Tybalt has challenged their friend Romeo to a duel, and Mercutio remarks that Romeo is no match for Tybalt who is the Prince of Cats and a skilled duellist. Romeo arrives and the three youths exchange jests. Juliet's nurse then enters, seeking word from Romeo for her mistress. He says that Juliet should meet him at Friar's Laurence's cell that afternoon where they will be secretly married. The Nurse finds Romeo to be a gentleman and blesses the plan. Everything is going well and Romeo could not be in a better mood. He is near to marrying his one true love, Juliet.
Scene VI
At his cell, Friar Laurence and Romeo await the arrival of Juliet. He calls the prospective wedding ceremony a "holy act" but also says "these violent delights have violent ends." Juliet enters, Romeo compares her to a blazing light, and Friar Laurence unites the two in holy matrimony. Now the ''Star-crossed lovers are united and never to be parted.
Act III
Scene I
The play's duel scene takes place in a public place of Verona. Benvolio says that they should lay low, for it is hot and the "Capels" are in the street. Mercutio says that Benvolio only anticipates a brawl because he is by nature a quarrelsome youth. The "Capels" do, in fact, arrive led by Tybalt who tests Mercutio's temper. Romeo appears, and Tybalt challenges him to a duel. But Romeo refuses to fight: even after Tybalt calls him a villain, Romeo wishes him well. Nevertheless, Mercutio is rankled by his friend's "dishonourable, vile submission!" He draws his sword and duels with Tybalt. Romeo intervenes, but this gives Tybalt the chance to stab Mercutio under Romeo's arm. Mercutio is mortally wounded and curses the Capulet and the Montague families with "a plague a' both houses." When Tybalt comes back, Romeo fights with him and Tybalt is slain. Romeo flees from punishment by the Prince, crying out that he is "fortune's fool." Along with Old Montague and Old Capulet, the Prince follows a group of citizens to the site of the mayhem. Benvolio recounts what has occurred. Recognizing that Tybalt was the instigator. The Prince spares Romeo from a death penalty, but banishes him from Verona (and Juliet) on pain of death. Both families in this scene express a lot of hate as the fight takes two victims. After Mercutio is mortally wounded he whispers, ''you shall find me a grave man''. He is saying that tomorrow I'll be dead and long buried. This upsets Romeo and he wants revenge. Before the fight with Tybalt Romeo offers peace. He says, "Good Capulet, which name I tender as dearly as my own". Romeo is saying this because he doesn't want to hurt his new brother in law. This is because Romeo and Juliet are married. Tybalt takes the believed sarcastic comment to be offensive and lashes out.
Scene II
At the Capulet house, Juliet is unaware of what has transpired and speaks, which she implores the sun to set so that night can fall and she can be with Romeo. The Nurse arrives and says, "He's dead." Juliet assumes that "he" is Romeo, but the Nurse then tells her that "Tybalt is gone, and Romeo banished." Juliet at first rails against Romeo as a "beautiful tyrant" and a "fiend angelical," but then chastises herself for these unkind remarks. She fixes upon the word "banished," and says that she would rather that ten thousand Tybalts had died than that her Romeo be banished. The Nurse tries to console her, promising to seek Romeo out. The Nurse shows a lot of hate because she says, ''Romeo, he slew Tybalt''. This is making out that Romeo was the instigator and not Tybalt, who is the real villain here.
Scene III
In hiding at Friar Lawrence's cell, Romeo learns that the Prince has banished him and expresses sentiments that parallel those of Juliet; he would rather die than be separated in life from Juliet. Friar Laurence rebukes Romeo's sentiments, characterizing them as the words of a "fond mad man." The Nurse comes in and sees Romeo on the ground distraught. He offers to stab himself, but Friar Laurence brings him back, saying, "Hold thy desperate hand! Art thou a man?" He tells Romeo that all is not lost, and directs him to travel to Mantua and await developments there. Romeo is saying that he would rather be dead than be banished from Juliet. This shows that Romeo's undying love for Juliet is never-ending and so powerful that he would not want to be with out her.
Scene IV
At the Capulet house, Old Capulet speaks of his daughter's distress, believing that Juliet is grieving excessively over the death of her cousin, Tybalt. Paris indicates a willingness to delay his marriage to Juliet during this time of mourning, but Old Capulet says that the marriage of Paris and Juliet should take place in three days time. Paris is being courteous towards Juliet in delaying the marriage. Old Capulet is acting like nothing has happened and is pushing the wedding on. This shows that Old Capulet is neither kind nor sympathetic.
Scene V
In the orchard of the Capulet house, Romeo and Juliet are together even though Romeo risks his life by remaining in Verona. The two are deeply in love but lament the turn of events that will force them to part. When Romeo leaves, Lady Capulet enters and asks about Juliet's inordinate grief for Tybalt. Juliet plays along, pretending to hate the villain Romeo. But when her mother tells Juliet that she will be married to Paris on Thursday, Juliet is taken aback, complains that it is too hasty and refuses to wed her father's choice of son-in-law. Old Capulet enters and is enraged by Juliet's rejection of marriage to Paris, calling her "young baggage." The Nurse defends her mistress from this verbal assault but Old Capulet silences her and then speaks of Paris's noble family, intelligence and beauty. After her parents leave, Juliet tells the nurse that she cannot marry Paris (for she is already Romeo's wife). The Nurse overlooks this problem and extols the virtues of the youth Paris, which now surpass those of the banished Romeo. When the Nurse leaves her alone, Juliet says that she will go to Friar Laurence for advice and that "If all else fail, myself have the power to die." Hate is shown in this scene because Juliet has an argument with her Mother and Nurse. However, they don't offer any condolences or ever consider Juliet's thoughts and feelings. The quote ''if all else fail...'' means that if she cannot see Romeo or if she has to marry Paris, then she wants to be able to commit suicide.
Act IV
Scene I
At Friar Laurence's cell, Paris arranges for the clergyman to preside over his wedding with Juliet. Juliet appears in person; Paris calls her his wife and then departs. Now alone, Juliet and Friar Laurence talk about the obstacles that stand in the way of her reunion with Romeo. When she threatens to kill herself, Friar Laurence spies a hope. He will give Juliet a potion that will make her seem to be dead for forty-two hours. After her family finds her in this death-like state, they will inter her in the family tomb. Friar Laurence will send word of this ruse to Romeo in Mantua and when she awakes from "a pleasant sleep," she will find Romeo there and the two can then return to Mantua together. A very cunning plan in theory but it does not work. This is because Romeo never gets a message.
Scene II
At the Capulet house, where Juliet's parents and the household staff prepare for the wedding celebration. Juliet appears and says that she has changed her mind; she now wishes to tie the knot with County Paris. Old Capulet is glad about his daughter's apparent change of heart. Juliet is only pretending to want to be wed the next day to stop the ongoing arguments between them. She won't even need to get married because she now has the potion from Friar Lawrence.
Scene III
At the same location, after the Nurse and her mother exit, Juliet considers the dangers of taking the potion that Friar Laurence has given to her. But she overcomes all of her apprehensions and drinks the vial, toasting to Romeo. Juliet hesitates in taken the potion and therefore may have doubts about whether it will work or not. In the end she does drink it and probably prays that it will work.
Scene V
Continuing the previous scene in Juliet's bedroom, the Nurse tries to awaken a slumbering Juliet, but when she draws back the curtain, she finds what appears to be a corpse. The Nurse tells Juliet's mother and father that their daughter is dead. Friar Laurence and a group of musicians arrive, expecting to take part in the wedding of Julie and Paris. Old Capulet tells them: "All things that we ordained festival, /Turn from their office to black funeral". He is saying that anything that was festive today is now turned in to sadness and grief. This scene is hurtful for the family but all of us know that Juliet is not really dead, so I don't think that this scene can be classed as hatful.
Act V
Scene I
On a street in the city of Mantua, Romeo speaks of a dream about joyous news. But then one of the Montague's servants arrives with word from Verona that Juliet lies dead in the Capulet family's mausoleum. On the basis of this incomplete report (Juliet is not dead but only drugged), Romeo seeks out an apothecary (Pharmacist!) to provide him with poison. He plans to go to the tomb in which Juliet lies and die alongside her. Romeo's got the wrong of the stick and has missed the message that the Friar had sent. Romeo will seek Juliet's tomb and kill himself so they can be together for all eternity.
Scene II
Back at Friar Laurence's cell in Verona, Friar John arrives with bad news: he was blocked by accident from delivering Father's Laurence's letter to Romeo. Friar Laurence realizes that this mishap could mean disaster and goes forth immediately to the graveyard for the purpose of opening the Capulet family tomb before Juliet wakes. The town is hectic and hearts are racing. The Friar has to solve this calamity quickly for Romeo is near death.
Scene III
At the churchyard, the final scene begins at night and with Paris. He has come to Juliet's tomb to glimpse her beauty once more and also to see what he could have had and loved. He instructs a boy servant to stand watch and enters with a torch into the Capulet mausoleum. Romeo and the servant Balthasar then enter. Romeo instructs his man to leave the scene, saying that he merely wishes to retrieve a ring from Juliet's hand. Balthasar is leery and fears that Romeo may attempt suicide; he decides to hide nearby. Romeo and Paris encounter each other. Romeo calls Paris a gentle youth and warns him not to interfere with his plans. Paris defies him, they fight, and Paris is slain by Romeo. Romeo takes Paris' body further into the tomb and lays it alongside the "corpse" of his beloved Juliet. He stands over Juliet's body, saying that not even death can conquer her beauty. He kisses Juliet, takes the apothecary's swiftly acting potion and dies. Just then, Friar Laurence appears: trying to run to the tomb of the Capulets, the good cleric tripped and stumbled over tombstones and arrived too late to save Romeo from his rash suicide. He then enters the tomb just as Juliet wakes from her slumber. Friar Laurence tells Juliet that Romeo is dead. She takes Romeo's dagger from its sheath and stabs herself to death when Friar Laurence is distracted by some incidental noise. The Prince, the Capulets, and the Montagues then enter. Friar Laurence tells the Prince and the others about the failed plan to bring Romeo and Juliet together and of their tragic, mistaken suicides. The Prince chastises the heads of the warring families, declaring that it is their fault that this catastrophe has occurred. Old Montague and Old Capulet join hands; the feud is over, and they agree to construct golden statutes of Romeo and Juliet. When Romeo talks of Juliet he says, "Here lies Juliet, and her beauty makes this vault a feasting presence full of light". Although the tomb is gloomy and depressing, Juliet can still conquer darkness to light the vault.
Conclusion
At last the two families that have waged war on each other for so long have been brought together by death. It is weird that five people have to die in order for the two families to be friends? Love wins here because Romeo & Juliet are apparently going to spend eternity together and the Capulets and Montagues can finally live together in peace. In a better world maybe they would be known as 'The Capulgues!' The 'Star-crossed lovers are now together if this play were to end with love the victor. However, if you don't believe in life after death then I suppose they wouldn't be together, so hate would win.
