Universal Themes In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

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But written over four centuries ago, do the concepts in Romeo and Juliet still remain relevant to the audiences around the world today? Themes in Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare and with its ardent and realistic utilisation of universal themes such as love and fate, the story has become timeless. The story can be interpreted in multiple ways and still understood by people everywhere (regardless of their culture, back or differing lives). Romeo and Juliet is a tale of two “ ill-fated” lovers whom fate has not smiled upon.

Love, a predominant theme in Romeo and Juliet, is separated into two subunits of physical attraction and uncertainty in love. Physical attraction is presented when Friar Lawrence states “young men’s love lies not …show more content…

Even Juliet admitted that their love is “too rash, too unadvised, too sudden, too like the lightning..” The repetition of the word “too” emphasises on they are fast-paced love as well as Juliet’s doubtfulness of their love, possibly a result of her inexperience and young age. This simile also contributes to this effect as lightning is quick and is over in an instant, suggesting that Juliet thinks that their love is too quick and fast like lightning. This signifies Juliet’s uncertainty and desire to slow down (in the progression of their love. In today’s world, love is undefinable and unpredictable. (nothing is guaranteed in love. Nothing is guaranteed in life.) Uncertainty of love and teenagers are still present today in spite of the change of …show more content…

Yes and it's fate. Everyone has a life to live, a destiny to fulfil whether it's for the better or worse. Immediately in the prologue, Shakespeare reveals to the audience the fate of Romeo and Juliet; “a pair of two star-crossed lovers take their lives”. Dramatic irony is used(, leaving the audience to ponder the concept of fate) thus the audience is constantly wishing for the characters to take another course. Despite attempting to change their fate; for instance, when Romeo hears of Juliet’s ‘death’, he shouts “I defy you star’, he believes that fortune wants Juliet dead and Romeo to weep over Juliet’s death for the rest of his life, so he takes his own life, ironically fulfilling the fate that was set out for him at the beginning of the play. Their fate is sealed, impelling the audience to reflect and question their own fate and free

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