Main Themes Explored in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet
Shakespeare uses a set of themes to present his ideas in the play
“Romeo and Juliet”. The theme of fate plays a major role in the play.
The “star- crossed lovers” (I.Proluge.6) are impelled unstoppably
through a sequence of events and they are caught up in a train of
circumstances, beyond their power to control. Among these are the
conflicts and struggles that they face against public and social
institutions that either explicitly or implicitly oppose the existence
of their love. These range from families and the placement of familial
power in the father; law and the desire for public order; religion to
the social importance placed on masculine honour.
There are three forms of fate examined in “Romeo and Juliet.” One of
them which is fate created within the text can be seen from the very
beginning of the play- the prologue, which takes the form of a sonnet
a characteristic form of love poetry. The chorus, a single figure
with no character or personality whose function is to explain the
situation tells the audiences about the city of Verona being divided
by the civil war between the two noble families. Their quarrel is an
old one, an “ancient grudge” (line 2). Although the audiences are not
told of its cause, however they are warned of its cure. The deaths of
the “star-crossed lovers”- that is to say that fate (a power often
vested in the movement of the stars) controls them (line 6), is the
only way their “parents’ rage” (line 10) will end. The knowledge of
their deaths adds pathos and dramatic irony to the audiences’ view of
events. They can see the “star-crossed lov...
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...s to saint Peter’s Church or I will drag thee on a hurdle thither”
(III.5.153) he threatens Juliet in addition to calling her rude
names.
Christianity at its peak, people are raised in a Christian background
practicing its traditions and beliefs. Children are baptized as soon
as they are born, marriages are performed and funerals conducted by
the licensed clergy in accordance with the Church’s rites and
ceremonies and regular attendance to divine service is compulsory.
Romeo and Juliet however are an exceptional. Their romance replaces
their religious standings that they attempt suicide so that they can
die in each other’s arms.
In summary love, fate and society are the three major themes explored
in the literary work of “Romeo and Juliet” and they contribute greatly
in its linguistic and literarily features.