In Romeo and Juliet there are many reoccurring themes. But the one that I noticed, especially in class when we were discussing oxymorons, was love and what each character in Shakespeare thought of it. Romeo has powerful thoughts on love along with Juliet, Capulet, Lady Capulet, Benvolio, and Paris. I think through these characters Shakespeare is trying to say that love is for the strong-willed and for people who are willing to commit themselves to love. Each character has their own opinion but together they show how confusing and powerful love can be.
In 1.1.176-197 Romeo talks about his love for Rosaline. Romeo uses oxymorons like "feather of lead, cold fire, and loving hate" to describe love. Reading these makes me think that Romeo is kind of a helpless romantic. Romeo is expressing his love and his thoughts on love saying that love is very difficult but worth it. When I hear "cold fire" I think of something seemingly warm and friendly that turns out to be nothing like you expected. "Feather of lead" can mean that love is light like a feather, but can turn into a feeling of burden. Or, in the term "loving hate", loving can be a verb or a noun. You can either love that you hate something, or lovingly hate something or someone. What I mean by lovingly hate someone is that you respect them enough to not blindly hold a grudge. Romeo is feeling all these things about love, and Shakespeare is expressing his perspective through him.
Juliet also believes that love is not a thing to be played with. In 1.4.103-105, her parents ask her to marry someone she does not know. She does not disagree right away. Instead she decides that she will meet him and see if she likes him enough to marry him. I think that Juliet is being mature in not jumping to conclusions. If she were to immediately turn down her suitor, then find out that they could have loved each other, she would forever regret that. Juliet is also catering to her parents' wants because she did not turn down the offer. She is adhering to her belief in love by waiting to see if she truly loves this man before marrying him.
You used really good textual evidence and examples for this. I completely agree with what your saying. Great post!
ReplyDeleteGood job Hannah!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with your statement that love is powerful. But what do you mean when you say that Juliet believes love is not a thing to be played with? Does Juliet feel as though love should not be something to try out, and see if it works? Overall though, great analysis.
What I mean is that Juliet does not think love is something you can have, then throw away like it meant nothing. That is why she chose to see if she loved Paris before deciding to marry him.
DeleteVery nice Hannah! I like how you kind of presented Romeo and Juliet, the protagonist's of the play's, views on love next to each other. Romeo, the hopeless romantic, and Juliet, the practical realist. Good post.
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