Write an essay about the themes IN Romeo and Juliet of ;
love
conflict
death
Student’s Name
University
Course
Professor
Date
“Thus, with a kiss, I die” is a quote from the play “Romeo and Juliet.” “Romeo and Juliet” is one of the most famous plays written by William Shakespeare. The play, first performed in the late 16th century, has become a timeless classic still relevant today. Bian is a story of two young lovers, Romeo and Juliet, who come from rival families in Verona, Italy (4). Despite their families’ animosity towards each other, Romeo and Juliet fall deeply in love and face numerous obstacles in their pursuit of happiness. The play is set in Verona, Italy, and begins with a brawl between the servants of the Capulet and Montague families; This scene sets the tone for the rest of the play and introduces the audience to the intense hatred between the two families (Bian 4). Romeo, a Montague, attends a Capulet party in disguise and meets Juliet, the daughter of the Capulet family. They fall in love at first sight and begin a secret romance. The feud between their families constantly threatens the couple’s relationship, which ultimately leads to tragedy. In Act III, Romeo kills Juliet’s cousin Tybalt in a rage after Tybalt kills Romeo’s friend Mercutio (Bian 6). As a result, Romeo is banished from Verona, leaving Juliet heartbroken. Juliet’s father then arranges for her to marry Paris, a suitor from a wealthy family, but Juliet refuses. She turns to Friar Laurence for help, who devises a plan for reuniting Romeo and Juliet (Bian 6). The plan involves Juliet faking her death and Romeo rescuing her from her tomb. However, the plan goes awry when Romeo believes Juliet is truly dead and takes his own life. When Juliet wakes up and sees Romeo’s lifeless body, she takes her own life (Bian 13). “Romeo and Juliet” is a timeless masterpiece exploring love, conflict, and death themes.
One of the central themes in “Romeo and Juliet” is love. The play portrays the intense and passionate love between Romeo and Juliet, which transcends their families’ hatred and societal norms. According to Mogea, the play portrays love in its many forms, from the infatuation of Romeo and Juliet’s initial attraction to the deep and abiding love they share before their death (6). The couple’s love is portrayed as pure and genuine, free from the constraints of society and their families feud. Mogea also stated that the theme of love is introduced early in the play when Romeo confesses his love for Rosaline, a woman who has sworn off love. This unrequited love makes Romeo despair, convinced he will never love again. However, his meeting with Juliet at the Capulet party changes everything. From the moment Romeo and Juliet lay their eyes on each other, they are smitten (Mogea 8). They speak in poetry and metaphor, expressing their love in the most passionate and heartfelt ways. They are willing to risk everything for their love, even their lives. The intensity of their love is evident in their decision to marry in secret, despite the danger it poses. Their marriage symbolizes their commitment to each other and their desire to be together. As the play progresses, their love deepens, and they become each other’s entire world. They are willing to do whatever it takes to be together, even if it means death. Romeo, upon hearing the news of Juliet’s “death,” says, “Well, Juliet, I will lie with thee tonight. Let’s see for means. O mischief, thou art swift to enter in the thoughts of desperate men!” (Act V, Scene I). Thus, the theme of love is shown in the play as their love was so strong that they could not bear to live without each other and even in death, they are united.
The theme of conflict is also central to William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” and it takes many forms throughout the play. According to Kussemiarti, the conflict between the Capulet and Montague families is the most obvious and persistent form of conflict, but there are also conflicts within the characters themselves, between the generations, and even within the individual families (13). The feud between the Capulet and Montague families is the primary source of conflict in the play. This longstanding feud creates a culture of violence and hate that permeates society and shapes the characters’ actions. The violence between the two families is evident in the play’s opening scene when the servants of the two families engage in a street brawl. The conflict escalates throughout the play, leading to the deaths of several characters, including Mercutio, Tybalt, Paris, and ultimately Romeo and Juliet (Kussemiarti 13). The conflict within the characters themselves is also evident in the play. Romeo, for example, is torn between his love for Juliet, his loyalty to his family, and the societal norms of the time. Likewise, Juliet is torn between her love for Romeo, her loyalty to her family, and her duty as a daughter. The characters’ internal conflicts highlight the tension between personal desire and societal expectations. The conflict between the generations is also a theme in the play (Kussemiarti 14). The older generation, represented by Lord Capulet and Lord Montague, clings to the traditional values of family loyalty and honor. They are unwilling to let go of their feud, which ultimately leads to the play’s tragic events. The younger generation, represented by Romeo and Juliet, is more open to change and seeks to transcend the boundaries of the feud. Thus, the theme of conflict underscores the play’s tragedy and reveals the destructive power of hatred and violence.
In William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” the theme of death is another theme that runs throughout the play. From the beginning of the play, the audience is made aware that the story will end tragically with the death of the two young lovers. According to Ghaffary, one of the ways the theme of death is explored in the play is through the foreshadowing of death. The opening prologue states that Romeo and Juliet’s love is “death-marked” (p.12), indicating that their love will end in tragedy. As the play progresses, there are numerous references to death, including Romeo’s premonition that his fate is sealed: “My mind misgives/Some consequence yet hanging in the stars/Shall bitterly begin his fearful date/With this night’s revels and expire the term/Of a despised life, closed in my breast/By some vile forfeit of untimely death” (Act I, Scene IV). Ghaffary also stated that the theme of death is also explored through the violent and tragic events that occur in the play. The feud between the Capulet and Montague families, including Mercutio and Tybalt, resulted in several deaths. Romeo’s decision to kill Tybalt in revenge for Mercutio’s death leads to his exile and sets in motion the following tragic events. Juliet’s supposed death and Romeo’s subsequent suicide illustrate the devastating consequences of the character’s actions and the tragic nature of their love. The characters speak of death in metaphorical terms, such as when Juliet says, “My grave is like to be my wedding bed” (Act I, Scene V), or when Romeo describes Juliet’s beauty as that of a “bright angel” who has “winged me to the skies” (Act II, Scene II) (Ghaffary 12). Thus, the theme of death is central to the play and is explored in various ways, from the foreshadowing of death to the violence and tragedy that result from the characters’ actions.
In conclusion, “Romeo and Juliet” is a timeless masterpiece that explores universal themes of love, conflict, and death. The play’s enduring popularity is a testament to its ability to resonate with audiences across cultures and generations. The play’s tragic ending serves as a warning about the destructive power of hatred, violence, and societal norms that restrict personal freedom and limit human potential. The play also celebrates the transformative power of love and the courage it takes to challenge tradition and societal expectations. Ultimately, “Romeo and Juliet” reminds us of the beauty and fragility of life and the importance of cherishing love, forgiveness, and acceptance in a world often torn apart by conflict. William Shakespeare’s timeless masterpiece continues to inspire and captivate audiences with its poignant themes and powerful storytelling.
Amrieh, Yousef Abu. “Susan Abulhawa’s Appropriation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.” Critical Survey 34.3 (2022): 39-55.
Bian, Filomena, I. Gusti Agung Sri Rwa Jayantini, and I. Wayan Sidha Karya. “An Analysis of Hyperbole in Drama” Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare.”: English Literature, Linguistics and Translation Studies 1.2 (2021): 57-66.
Ghaffary, Mohammad, and Ghiasuddin Alizadeh. “The tragedy of love: A study of love and death in Jacques Lacan’s thought, with special reference to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.” Contemporary Psychoanalysis 57.3-4 (2021): 596-629.
Kussemiarti, Agnes Emmie, and Ririn Sotyarini. “An approach on the themes in Romeo and Juliet.” Conscientia 18.2 (2022): 26-43.
Mogea, Tini. “Lord of the Flies Love and Hatred as in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.” Student Scientific Creativity Journal 1.2 (2023): 88-111.
Paul Rohan, J. C. “The Paradoxical Theme of ‘Love unto Death’: Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and the Christian Perspective of ‘Self-Gifting’Love.” (2018).