Transcript Romeo and Juliet: Themes
Romeo and Juliet: Themes
English 9
Which THEME rules in R&J???
Love
an intense feeling of deep affection.
Hate
an intense or passionate dislike for someone.
Fate
the development of events beyond a person's control, regarded as determined by a supernatural power.
Theme One: Love
Romeo and Juliet has become forever associated with love. The play has become an iconic story of love and passion, and the name “Romeo” is still used to describe young lovers. He uses love in its many guises to thread together the key relationships in the play.
Romantic
Types of Love
Shakespeare presents this as a force of nature, so strong that it transcends societal conventions. This idea is established in the play’s prologue with the line “a pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life.” Fickle Some characters fall in and out of love very quickly in Romeo and Juliet. For example, Romeo is in love with Rosaline at the start of the play, which is presented as an immature infatuation. Today, we might use the term “puppy love” to describe this.
Tradition Paris’ love for Juliet is borne out of tradition, not passion. He has identified her as a good candidate for a wife and approaches her father to arrange the marriage.
Other Types of Love
Friendship Many of the friendships in the play are as sincere as Romeo and Juliet’s love for one another. Family The close relationships between Juliet and her Nurse, and between Romeo, Mercutio and Benvolio are meaningful and heartfelt. Honor They care deeply for another and protect each others honor – this ultimately costs Mercutio his life.
Theme Two: Hate
The Capulet’s hate the Montague’s and vice versa.
We don’t know why though the Prince says their grudge was the result of an “airy word” (an insult) The younger generation of both families continue this feud. It is this hatred that leads to tension and conflict in the play
Haters
Tybalt unreasonably hateful.
The mere sight of Romeo at the Capulet party angers him to the point of murder It is ironic that the party which brings the two lovers together sows the seeds that destroy their lives.
Just as Romeo chooses Juliet as the object of his romantic desire, Tybalt chooses Romeo as the object of his murderous desire.
Mercutio His hate of Tybalt leads to his death.
Theme Three: Fate
Dramatic Irony allows the audience to understand his characters’ destiny. In the opening lines of the play the audience is told what is going to happen to the lovers: “a pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life.” Throughout the story, the audience is put in an omnipotent, god-like position from the start encouraging them to think about fate and to what extent our actions are free. Because we know Romeo and Juliet’s fate from the outset we are constantly hoping that they will take a different course – perhaps that Romeo will arrive just after Juliet has woken. However, their fate is sealed and we are forced to question our own destiny and ability to make free choices.
Theme Three: Fate
When Mercutio shouts “a plague on both your houses” in Act 3, Scene 1, we are reminded of the protagonists’ fate. This bloody scene in which characters are killed gives us a glimpse of what fate has in store, marking the beginning of Romeo and Juliet’s tragic downfall. Is it fate that Friar Lawrence’s plan to inform Romeo of Juliet’s faked death is not realized due to unforeseen circumstances? Is it fate that Romeo kills himself when he does? Romeo and Juliet see omens throughout the play, continually reminding the audience of their fate. Their death is a catalyst for change in Verona: the dueling families are united in their grief creating a political shift in the city. Perhaps Romeo and Juliet were fated to love and die for the greater good of Verona.