Lies. Deceitfulness. Compassion. Intimacy. Endearment. What do they have in common? All words that can be used to describe the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. Is Romeo and Juliet really a love story, or tale of obsession and desperation? How could words with such a stark contrast in meaning possibly describe the same subject matter? Examples in Romeo and Juliet shows obsession and desperation, rather than love. To answer this, one must delve deeper into the realm of Shakespeare’s usage of fate to advance the narrative.
Passion and love induces strong actions throughout the entire play, and overpowers all other moral principles. It is love that first brings Romeo and Juliet together, and it is love that tears their lives’ apart. Juliet states, O Romeo, Romeo, /wherefore art thou Romeo? /Deny thy father and refuse thy name, /Or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, /And I’ll no longer be a Capulet (II i 74-78). Her willingness to disown her family name displays that she is dedicated to Romeo and him only. …show more content…
Merriam-Webster defines desperation as “A state of hopelessness leading to rashness”. “Such mortal drugs I have; but Mantua's law/Is death to any he that utters them” (V i 66-67). Had the Apothecary not been in such dire straits, he wouldn’t have sold Romeo the poison, possibly altering the progression of the story line. Friar Lawrence, while initially not driven for his own personal gain, but for ceasing the feud between the two families, displays a level of cowardice when he abandons Juliet alone in the tomb where she latter kills herself. “I hear some noise. Lady, come from that nest/ Stay not to question, for the watch is coming;/ I dare no longer stay (V iii 151,
Passion and love induces strong actions throughout the entire play, and overpowers all other moral principles. It is love that first brings Romeo and Juliet together, and it is love that tears their lives’ apart. Juliet states, O Romeo, Romeo, /wherefore art thou Romeo? /Deny thy father and refuse thy name, /Or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, /And I’ll no longer be a Capulet (II i 74-78). Her willingness to disown her family name displays that she is dedicated to Romeo and him only. …show more content…
Merriam-Webster defines desperation as “A state of hopelessness leading to rashness”. “Such mortal drugs I have; but Mantua's law/Is death to any he that utters them” (V i 66-67). Had the Apothecary not been in such dire straits, he wouldn’t have sold Romeo the poison, possibly altering the progression of the story line. Friar Lawrence, while initially not driven for his own personal gain, but for ceasing the feud between the two families, displays a level of cowardice when he abandons Juliet alone in the tomb where she latter kills herself. “I hear some noise. Lady, come from that nest/ Stay not to question, for the watch is coming;/ I dare no longer stay (V iii 151,