Romeo and Juliet themes – Love Date: Objectives Examine the Romeo and Juliet theme - Love. Be able to write about the theme. Warm-up – Examine the quote and question. “She hath forsworn to love; and in that vow Do I live dead that live to tell it now”(Act 1, scene 1) (Romeo about Rosaline) Romeo is attracted to people because they are forbidden, restricted or taboo. Do you agree or disagree? Why or why not?
Plan for theme essay - Love The following slides examine ‘Love’ throughout the story of Romeo and Juliet. It follows this structure: Introduce love when Romeo and Juliet meet. (Act 1) Show how powerful love is in the Balcony scene. (Act 2) Show it as too powerful and its consequences. (Act 3) Discuss Paris’s types of love. (Act 5) Discuss Parental love. (Act 5) Some final thoughts. For homework – essay at the end of the week on a theme. Question for tonight – a paragraph on your opinion of ‘love’ in the play.
Introduction – love as commitment Love is the central theme of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. For both characters, it is love at first sight and involves total commitment. The relationship is sudden, overwhelming and incredibly intense, as we see from Juliet’s words; “Go ask his name. If he be married, My grave is like to be my wedding bed” (Act 1, scene 5) Before she even knows his name, she commits herself and her life to Romeo. They both become entirely absorbed with each other to the point nothing and nobody else matters. This leads to their downfall however, as family, politics and fate stand in the way of their love. Examine Act 1, scene 5 – Romeo and Juliet meeting. What is your understanding of ‘love at first sight’. Do you think this is real?
Love: It’s power in the ‘Balcony Scene’ Romeo places his trust in love as an ultimate power or force in the world. His actions are completely driven by his sense of love as he trespasses into the Capulet orchard. In the famous balcony scene, he risks death by the hands of the Capulets to see Juliet, announcing to her that: “Alack, there lies more peril in thine eye Than twenty of their swords! (Act 2, scene 2) Throughout the play, Romeo perceives love as something able to protect him or defeat hatred. He too therefore fully commits himself to love and Juliet. Like Juliet, he shows his preference for death than a world without love, as he says: “My life were better ended by their hate Than death proroguèd*, wanting of thy love” (Act 2, scene 2) (*postponed) Now both characters have expressed their commitment to each other and disregard for their own lives, which will have consequences. Examine Act 2, scene 2 – The Balcony Scene. Does Juliet ‘believe in love’?
Love – too powerful The love Romeo and Juliet share is too powerful. The thought of separation from each other leads both to consider suicide which is put to the test when Romeo is banished from Verona. Romeo has to be prevented from stabbing himself as he says: “Tis torture, and not mercy. Heaven is here, Where Juliet lives.” (Act 3, scene 2). Juliet feels the same way; that a life without Romeo is too painful to live with. To torture her further then, fate and her father has set her to marry Paris. Act three ends with Juliet making a choice based on love: “If all else fail, myself have power to die” (Act 3, scene 5) This is the quality of their love; that is it more powerful and important than anything else, including their own lives. Examine Act 5, scene 3 – when Juliet awakens. What ‘love’ is left in her life?
Love: Paris – a love based on duty and honour Paris also has real feelings for Juliet, only they are gentle and less extreme. When Juliet fakes her death, this becomes evident. First he vows to come to honour her tomb every night; “These obsequies (ceremonies) that I for thee will keep Nightly shall be strew thy grave and weep” (Act 5, scene 3) Secondly he seeks to defend her tomb with his life from Romeo, who he believes is there to vandalise it. Finally, his dying words are a request to be placed near her: “O, I am slain! If thou be merciful, Open the tomb, lay me with Juliet” (Act 5.3) Paris does nothing wrong in the play. He only ever shows compassion and caring for Juliet. His love is tragically rewarded with death however. Examine Act 4, scene 1 – Paris’s parts. Is he thinking of himself or Juliet?
Love: Parents The love of parents should also be considered. For example, the Montagues show concern for their son who is in a miserable mood; “Could we but learn from whence his sorrow grow, We would as willingly give cure as know” (Act 1, scene 1) The main parent-child relationships is between the Capulets however. Lord Capulet wants what is best for his daughter. His anger comes from ignorance, not greed, as he believes Paris is a suitable match for Juliet. The greatest display of parental love however, is in their grief for the deceased Romeo and Juliet. This grief kills Romeo’s mother and forces the lords of the families into peace. Examine the end of Act 5, scene 3. Do you think the feud ended then?
Final thoughts These slides do not examine half the love in this play. Love as lust; something physical or sexual. This can be seen in Romeo’s ‘love’ for Rosaline, Mercutio promotes this idea and even Juliet cannot stop thinking of her wedding night. Love as friendship: What the Nurse does for Juliet can only be described as love. Friar Laurence also risks a lot to help. Love and Hate and Fate: Is their love made stronger by their families hate? Is Juliet rebelling against the marriage to Paris? Is Romeo ‘rebounding’ after Rosaline (another Capulet) Is their love stronger because of destiny or fate? There are countless ways to discuss love in this play. Hopefully it helps you think about what love is and come to your own conclusions.