How does Shakespeare present love in ‘Romeo and Juliet’?

In this assignment, I will be looking at the play of Romeo and Juliet. I will analyse how Shakespeare has used language in the play for figurative effect. I will also comment on how the structure of the play relates to how Shakespeare has presented love. I will identify the key themes in the play and how these are presented. I will also comment on the historical context of the play and its relevance today. I will look at how Shakespeare has created characters and comment on the action of the play and how Shakespeare has used dramatic devices and structures.

Throughout the play there is a constant theme of love and fate. This is portrayed directly from the beginning in the prologue, which is in the form of a sonnet. An example of this theme is when Romeo and Juliet are described as, ‘a pair of star-crossed lovers take their life’. This line also has contemporary relevance to today as it still may occur in practice or in language. The prologue gives a brief summary of the whole play and includes an oxymoron: ‘death-marked love’. This provides the reader with contrast and because they are so opposite the reader does not expect death to be associated with love; it also has relevance to the theme of the play throughout.

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‘As a rich jewel in an Ethiop’s ear’ is an example. ’

Overall, throughout the play, both love and hate are combined and could be seen as one large oxymoron. Each individual character has a different concept for one reason; to enhance the realness of the true love between Romeo and Juliet and to make it known that this is the only type that is worth being in, in the end. The characters appear to be sexist towards the women, as they almost see them as inferior people and feel that they can do what they want with them: ‘thrusting his maids to the wall’.

Act 4 Scene 3 takes the structure of a large monologue of Juliet. Juliet’s arranged marriage and her being married at such a young age are examples, ‘She hath not seen the change of fourteen years’ and ‘But woo her, gently Paris, get her heart’. The religious imagery is shown by such words as, ‘Holy shrine, sin, holy palmers and pilgrim’. Juliet’s desire for darkness to come could be seen as ironic because the news that the nurse is about to bring is definitely dark. This was common practice and vitally important to prevent disease: ‘where the infectious pestilence did reign, Sealed up the doors, and would not let us forth’ confirm this. This language used by the ‘servant’ characters, indicates the difference in opinions of love throughout the play. Again, he is comparing her to describe his feelings and this also continues the theme of light and dark. The tension is further indicated when the two characters reflect darks and light into their speeches: ‘Night’s candles are burnt out’, indicate that it is almost dawn and the time for Romeo to depart. The Friar thinks that Romeo and Juliet’s love is fickle and they are rushing, but in the end agrees to marry them.

When Romeo and Juliet finally meet in person, Shakespeare uses religious imagery. When Romeo has finished describing Juliet, he realises that his love for Rosaline was false and compares his first feelings for Juliet, which he hasn’t yet spoken to, to Rosaline: ‘Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight!’

The theme of love and hate comes again when the love is interrupted by Tybalt’s anger.

Approximate Word count = 3080
Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page double spaced)

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