How Does Shakespeare Present Love In Romeo And Juliet

Love has taken many forms in literature throughout history. One of the more famous examples is Romeo and Juliet, a violent drama between two lovers from different backgrounds. People however don’t mention the different portrayals of love shown by William Shakespeare in the play. In William Shakespeare's tragedy play Romeo and Juliet, he shows love as a powerful lust between lovers and as a tactic for monetary and property gain. These two contrasts however don’t define love as a whole. Shakespeare's portrays love as a fury of emotions between lovers. In the text: “If I profane with my unworthiest hand / This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this / My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand / To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss” (1.5.104-108). When Romeo and Juliet first see each other, it seems to be love at first sight. They meet up, move away from the dance, and start kissing each other. They’ve barely shared a few minutes together and they’re already making out. They’re practically blinded by their emotions.

In the text: “Not proud you have, but thankful you have / Proud can never be of what I hate / But thankful even for hate that is meant love” (3.5.151-154). During Shakespeare’s time, arranged marriages between rich families were not uncommon. They were often used to organize the inheritance of property and/or wealth from one generation to the next. The bride and groom obviously have no say in this. Juliet is so frustrated with the idea of a loveless arranged marriage that she finally voices her own opinion. All this does however is anger her parents. Evidence supporting this can be found in the text: “Thy face is mine, and thou hast slandered it” (4.1.34). Paris, Juliet’s arranged husband, literally describes Juliet as property. Though in this situation it may act as more of a flirting joke, it still shows how marriage is seen at the time. An event where new property is