Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy, not a love story. This statement has perpetually been a contentious issue, as plenty would believe that Romeo and Juliet is the finest love story of all time whilst others will argue that the story is not of love, but of lust. To make a well-informed decision, it is necessary to first comprehend and discuss the main themes and context of the play.
Romeo and Juliet is a famous play, written by William Shakespeare about two teenagers, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet, who fall into an ill-starred love and are obliged to keep it confidential. Their families are involved in a terrible feud and to love each other in public seems inconceivable for them. They are married in secret and everything seems …show more content…
n.d.) Romeo and Juliet could unquestionably be considered a story that focuses on love. Both parties in the relationship are young, but are sure of themselves and their instantaneous love for each other. Juliet says to Romeo, “My bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep; the more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite” (Act 2, Scene 2, Line 91.) She is certain of her limitless love for Romeo, even though they have known each other for only a few hours. Despite their family circumstances, (or perhaps even because of it) both characters fall in love anyway. In this way, this story is quite beautiful and …show more content…
This is often considered one of the most tragic parts of the play, however if they were both only a few years older, would it still be considered tragic? We have to remember when reading this play that back in the 1600’s teenagers were considered adults and were mature enough to marry and have children, so why not be in love? “These violent delights have violent ends” (Act, Scene, Line), these are the words of Friar Laurence when he is pondering the marriage of Romeo and Juliet and the outcome. Romeo and Juliet should have been aware that their relationship was dangerous and that it may not end well. They knew of the consequences of killing themselves, but chose that over living without each other. If we choose to think of these two characters not as capricious, fickle teenagers, but as sensible adults, who knew what they were doing, the story may not seem so tragic, and therefore, could to a greater extent be considered a love story. The result of their actions, in the end, did bring their families together and resolved their
Romeo and Juliet is a famous play, written by William Shakespeare about two teenagers, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet, who fall into an ill-starred love and are obliged to keep it confidential. Their families are involved in a terrible feud and to love each other in public seems inconceivable for them. They are married in secret and everything seems …show more content…
n.d.) Romeo and Juliet could unquestionably be considered a story that focuses on love. Both parties in the relationship are young, but are sure of themselves and their instantaneous love for each other. Juliet says to Romeo, “My bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep; the more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite” (Act 2, Scene 2, Line 91.) She is certain of her limitless love for Romeo, even though they have known each other for only a few hours. Despite their family circumstances, (or perhaps even because of it) both characters fall in love anyway. In this way, this story is quite beautiful and …show more content…
This is often considered one of the most tragic parts of the play, however if they were both only a few years older, would it still be considered tragic? We have to remember when reading this play that back in the 1600’s teenagers were considered adults and were mature enough to marry and have children, so why not be in love? “These violent delights have violent ends” (Act, Scene, Line), these are the words of Friar Laurence when he is pondering the marriage of Romeo and Juliet and the outcome. Romeo and Juliet should have been aware that their relationship was dangerous and that it may not end well. They knew of the consequences of killing themselves, but chose that over living without each other. If we choose to think of these two characters not as capricious, fickle teenagers, but as sensible adults, who knew what they were doing, the story may not seem so tragic, and therefore, could to a greater extent be considered a love story. The result of their actions, in the end, did bring their families together and resolved their