The Love Between Romeo and Juliet in William Shakespeare's Play

The Love Between Romeo and Juliet in William Shakespeare's Play

Romeo and Juliet was written between 1594 and 1596 by William

Shakespeare. The play is set in medieval times in the town of Verona.

There is a possibility that this play was written for Queen Elizabeth

as she experienced many of the difficulties of forced marriage and

managed to avoid it. At this time rich girls were virtually powerless

in everything they did. They were their fathers property until they

were married off and then they were their husbands property. They had

no choice as to who they married and if they did not obey their

fathers' wish as to who they should marry they risked being thrown out

of the house or even killed. So obviously hardly anyone refused. This

is the situation Juliet found herself in at the age of 14 though girls

as young as 11 could be forced to marry.

Throughout the play Romeo and Juliet do numerous things which attest

their love for each other. The way they speak to one another

demonstrates this well. Romeo does most of the smooth talking, one

could interpret this to mean that Romeo is more passionate about

Juliet than she is to him though Juliet does prove her love for Romeo

as well. Juliet is called a 'Holy temple' by Romeo which he is

'Unworthy to touch'. He also says 'Let lips do as hands do', this is

said quite early on in the play and one might think that he's just

trying to seduce her but that is not the case. But saying 'Being a

feared this all but a dream' shows that he doesn't want to have to

leave her which goes some way to prove their love.

They also have a lot to say about each other as well which goes even

further to proving their love. The nice things they say aren't just to

sweet-talk each other. They also have meaning. Whilst Juliet is

speaking on the balcony Romeo is listening intently below, 'Speak

again bright angel' he says, wanting to hear her 'heavenly' voice