Romeo & Juliet Essay About Love & Hate

‘ROMEO AND JULIET IS OFTEN REGARDED AS A PLAY ABOUT LOVE; HOWEVER, IT IS ALSO A PLAY ABOUT HATE.’ DISCUSS.
Dramatist, William Shakespeare’s renowned play of Romeo and Juliet portrays a variety of themes ranging from romantic love to parental love and hatred. The story of Romeo and Juliet is often referred to as “The Most Excellent and Lamentable Tragedy” as Shakespeare depicts motifs that not only relate to the 17th Century but also to the modern society. The two most outstanding themes illustrated by Shakespeare in Romeo and Juliet is the contrast of love and hate. Love is widely expressed throughout the play generally between Romeo and Juliet and also nurse and Juliet. However, the emotion of hate is also conveyed through the rivalry of the Montague family and Capulet family as well as the hatred that Romeo has towards Tybalt for killing Mercutio. The play, Romeo and Juliet set in Verona revolves around a long lived fuel between two upper classed families; the Montague family and the Capulet family. Both families express hatred towards one another due to an old argument but now the argument has started up again. Fights are occurring and many people are getting hurt throughout the disagreement. This is indicated in the quote, “From ancient grudge, break to new mutiny, / Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.” (Prologue, Chorus, lines 3-4) This grudge did not have a resolution although it caused disturbances to the citizens and the streets of Verona. Nonetheless, the prince of Verona put a temporary stop to the argument by putting to death whomever initiates a fight again: “If you ever disturb our streets again, / Your lives shall pay for the forfeit of the peace.” (Act 1, Scene 1, lines 88-89) Although this order from the prince may have stopped the fight between the Montague and Capulet family, their hatred still lingered on. Throughout Romeo and Juliet, Mercutio is encountered by Tybalt who is part of the Capulet family. Hatred is expressed between both Mercutio and Tybalt as they are competing for family honour. Mercutio defends the Montague family whilst Tybalt defends the Capulet family. These foes are yet again in disagreement which soon after leads to a fight. Mercutio is murdered by Tybalt’s hands which breeches the order of the prince. Mercutio’s death is illustrated as he speaks his few last words, “Ask for me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man. I am peppered, I warrant, for this world.” (Act 3, Scene 1, lines 65-67) Romeo’s rage for his good friend’s death grew into hatred towards Tybalt. Hatred is portrayed in the fight between Romeo and Tybalt which ultimately brings Tybalt to this death by which Romeo’s hands conducted. “Romeo, away, be gone! / The citizens are up, and Tybalt slain. / Stand not amazed. The Prince will doom thee death if thou art taken. Hence, be gone, away!” (Act 3, Scene 1, lines 94-97) Essentially, hatred expressed in the play, Romeo and Juliet was established due to the argument between the Montagues and Capulets. In contrast, love is largely demonstrated in the play of Romeo and Juliet, mainly between the two protagonists; Romeo and Juliet. Although Romeo is of the Montague family and Juliet is of the Capulets, the star-crossed lovers met, fell in love, got married and died within the span of the play. Romeo is overwhelmed by Juliet’s beauty and falls in deep love with her at first sight. This is depicted in the quote, “For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night.” (Act 1, Scene 5, line 53) The scene of the balcony has strong relevance to the play because that is where Romeo and Juliet profess their love and arrange their marriage. Romeo proclaims this in the quote, “Then plainly know my heart’s dear love is set on the fair daughter of rich Capulet. / As mine on hers, so hers is set on mine, / And all combined, save what thou must combine by holy marriage.” (Act 2, Scene 3, lines 57-61) After Romeo’s banishment from Verona for killing Tybalt, Juliet is arranged to marry Paris. In avoidance of the marriage, Juliet takes a sleeping potion. Love is expressed when Romeo rushes back to Verona assuming that Juliet is dead. Romeo shows how deep his love is when he drinks a poison which kills him in order to be with his dead spouse, Juliet. The aspect of love is predominantly illustrated throughout the play through Romeo and Juliet’s meeting, falling in love, marriage and deaths. Parental love is expressed between nurse and Juliet as nurse cares and nurtures Juliet as if she were her own daughter. Nurse raised and grew up with Juliet ever since Juliet was a baby and therefore, she loves Juliet and wants the best for her. She isn’t only a nurse to Juliet, but also a friend. Nurse

defends Juliet when she says, “God in Heaven bless her! / You are to blame, my Lord, to rate her so.” (Act 3, Scene 5, line 169) Nurse is also Juliet’s comforter and adviser who she always goes to for help and advice. When Capulet is enraged by Juliet’s refusal to marry Paris, she seeks comfort with nurse and is able to trust that nurse will always be on her side. Nurse also showed love for Juliet by grieving Juliet’s death. This is portrayed in the quote, “She’s dead, deceased, she’s dead. Alack the day!” (Act 4, Scene 5, line 24) Ultimately, parental love is evident throughout the play Romeo and Juliet as demonstrated in the relationship between Juliet and nurse. In summation, Romeo and Juliet is often regarded as a play about love; however, it is also a play about hate. Romantic love is demonstrated between the protagonists; Romeo and Juliet while parental love is demonstrated between nurse and Juliet’s relationship. However, the play Romeo and Juliet is also a play about hate. Evidently, there is hatred between the Montague family and the Capulet family. This led to the death of Mercutio and Romeo’s hatred towards Tybalt. Primarily, William Shakespeare’s acclaimed play of Romeo and Juliet distinctly outlines the contrast of love and hate.