The theme of love By Olivia Helen and Hannah

INTRODUCTION  William Shakespeare's tragedy Romeo and Juliet is a heart-breaking tale of two star-crossed lovers.

SAMPSON AND GREGORY  Initially, Shakespeare introduces the theme of love in Act One Scene One through the characters of Sampson and Gregory. Their bawdy and Smutty attitudes towards women, illustrates their views on love:  “tis true and therefore women being the weaker vessels are ever thrust to the wall: therefore I will push Montague’s men from the wall, and thrust his maids to the wall”  See women as sexual objects and see love in a completely different way from other characters

ROMEO  In contrast, Romeo’s attitude towards love is far more elaborate and dramatic. An impulsive and immature character at the beginning of the play, he wallows in self-pity highlighting his overly romanticised view of love and its connections to pain and suffering.  “she hath forsworn to love, and in that vow Do I live dead, that live to tell it now”  Romeo has an over the top attitude towards love, he declares love for Rosaline who he barely knows and says that his life is not worth living without her. This changes since the same day he falls in love with Juliet. This clearly shows that Romeo has an immature attitude towards love and often exaggerates.

THE NURSE  However the nurses views on love in a jokey manner. That you need the romantic sides of a relationship and also the sexual aspects to be in a happy healthy relationship. So despite making crude jokes she see’s love in a more feminine way than Sampson, Gregory and Mercutio.  “yea’, quoth my husband, ‘fall’st upon thy face? Thou wilt fall backward when thou comest to age”  “go girl seek happy nights to happy days”  Although the nurse does have a slightly crude attitude towards love, as she focusses and jokes about sex, she has had experience with love, as she had a meaningful relationship with her husband for many years.

MERCUTIO  Mercutio views love in a crude and very boy like manner. He sees woman as sexual objects rather than actual human beings, similar to Sampson and Gregory.  “by her high forehead and her scarlet lip, By her fine foot, straight leg and quivering thigh,”  Similarly to Sampson and Gregory,Mercutio has a crude attitude to love. He sees women as objects and doesn’t respect them.

LADY CAPULET  She doesn’t believe in the love side or if Juliet is happy, she only cares about the money. She's trying to pressure Juliet in to marriage even if she doesn’t love Paris.  “this precious book of love, this unbound lover, to beautify him only lacks a cover”  Lady Capulet married young to an older man with money, Lord Capulet. This reveals that her relationship with her husband is built on a superficial love.  Married for the wrong reasons only really cares about wealth instead of love

LOVE BETWEEN ROMEO AND JULIET  The love between Romeo and Juliet is a rushed and desperate one. Within hours of meeting each other they agree to be wed. Their love is forbidden as they are from rival families yet there love prevails literally ‘till death do us part’.  “O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name; Or if thou wilt not, but be sworn my love, and I’ll no longer be a Capulet”  They fall in love at first sight  Blinded by love, make rash decisions  Relationship doomed from beginning (constant conflict between families)

CONCLUSION