2. Introduction Romeo and Juliet is a tragic play by William Shakespeare which looks at the many different perspectives to love. This ranges from the crude and inelegant views from Sampson and Gregory, and the strictly marriage-based outlook from Lady Capulet, to the star-crossed but fatally ill-omened love of that between Romeo and Juliet which ultimately leads to their death.

3. Sampson & Gregory From the very outset of Romeo and Juliet the reader is introduced, albeit crassly, to the theme of love by Gregory and Sampson. Both boys depict love as a purely physical experience rather than an emotion; this becomes evident in their conversation: “'Tis true, and therefore women, being the weaker vessels, are ever thrust to the wall.” Views are animalistic and purely sexual Contrast to Romeo’s more elaborate and superficial understanding of love towards Rosaline “O brawling luv, O loving h8, O anything of nothing first created! O heavy lightness, serious vanity,” The over dramatisation of Romeo’s affection indicate that his love is for the very concept of being in love

4. Mercutio ‘If love be rough with you, be rough with love; Prick love for pricking, and you beat love down.’ Mercutio sees love as a physical activity rather than being completely emotional He believes that love is something which can be controlled When talking of love, Mercutio says: “True, I talk of dreams” This shows he sees love as a dream, and is therefore imaginary He doesn’t take love seriously and is constantly making sexual jokes

5. The Nurse Throughout the play, the nurse provides a more rounded view of love: from sexual references to a more pure and delicate perception. This is probably to do with her age and the fact it seems that she had a healthy and happy marriage with her late husband and as such has experience of such matters. “No less! nay, bigger; women grow by men.” Rude & Witty Banter Provocative Language Relatable Character Warm and loving towards Juliet, treats her like her own

6. Juliet Throughout the play we see that Juliet is the more sensible of the star-crossed lovers, often thinking more into the situation that they are in we see this when she finds out that Romeo is a Montague “'Tis but thy name that is my enemy; Thou art thyself, though not a Montague” This shows that Juliet while still passionately in love with Romeo, gives the issues they are against more thought and is less impulsive than Romeo. Towards the end of the play Juliet realises that there is no hope for them to be together unless it is in the afterlife. “Yea, noise? then I'll be brief. O happy dagger!” This shows she will do anything for them to be together.

7. Romeo “Not I, believe me: you have dancing shoes With nimble soles: I have a soul of lead” From the start of the play, Romeo is shown as being very overdramatic with love. He believes he loves Rosaline, however when he meets Juliet he experiences true love for the first time: “Did my heart love till now?” Love for Romeo is very meaningful, and unlike Mercutio, he sees more to love than just the physical aspect When Romeo learns of Juliet’s ‘death’, he believes he cannot live without her: “Is it even so? Then I defy you stars!” However, in attempting to ‘defy’ his fate, he ends up sealing it instead, and is arguably responsible for Juliet’s death

8. Conclusion Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is a play which introduces the theme of love from the outset of the play. This is explored through different perceptions displayed by each of the characters. Shakespeare uses the other characters varying views of love and romance to accentuate how Romeo and Juliet’s passionate love transcends all others. The play reaches a climatic conclusion when the star crossed lovers take their own lives as they believe they are no longer able to live without each other. This successfully highlights the depth of their love for one another.