What Is The Theme Of Love In Romeo And Juliet

Romeo and Juliet are arguably the most iconic couple of all time. The first thing that pops into many people’s minds when they think of the lovers is, of course, love. After all, their love brought an end to a vicious blood feud. While many readers of Romeo and Juliet argue that the overarching theme of love reinforces the overall meaning that love is a positive influence, closer inspection of the theme reveals it supports a more cynical conclusion. In actuality, the theme of love supports the message that love is a negative influence that encourages selfish actions and destruction because it begins a cycle of reckless irrationality in both Romeo and Juliet, results in depression and suicidal ideations, and causes multiple deaths by the

Take, for example, the illogical and thoughtless actions of one of the main characters, Romeo. In Act II, Scene II, while on Juliet’s balcony, he says, “My life were better ended by their (Juliet’s kinsmen’s) hate, / than death prorogued, wanting of thy love” (Shakespeare, 2.2.82-83). Romeo expresses his preference for death on the spot if Juliet loves him over a later death if she does not. Additionally, he willingly puts himself in danger of death by going to the orchard, where the Capulets could have found and killed him. Furthermore, in Act II, Scene III, he responds to Friar Laurence’s concerns over his hasty wedding by saying, “Do thou but close our hands with holy words / Then love-devouring death do what he dare,” again indicating his preference for death over separations (2.6.6-7). Later, Romeo hears Juliet has “died” and makes an immediate decision to get

Love causes wild emotional swings that reach down to the depths of depression. For example, in the first scene, Romeo describes his love for Rosaline, which she has not reciprocated. Being in love makes his hours long--that is, time passes slowly because he is depressed (1.1.166). Additionally, he states, “This love feel I, that feel no love in this,” by which he means he hates the feelings his love brings up (1.1.187). In Romeo’s own words, love has bound him so “I can not leap any height above dull woe,” (1.4.21). However, one could argue that this is unreciprocated infatuation rather than mutual love like that with Juliet. While this may be true, the same bleak emotions are present in their relationship, and to an even greater extent; take Act III, Scene II as an illustration of this. Act III, Scene II sees Juliet learning of Tybalt’s death and the subsequent banishment of her husband. Her response is to go “...to my wedding-bed / and death, not Romeo, take my maidenhead,” (3.2.149-150). Juliet falls into a depression and welcomes death, all because her love for Romeo consumes her and controls her feelings. Although she does not actually die, she “weeps and weeps / And now falls on her bed; and then starts up / And Tybalt calls, and then on Romeo cries / And then falls down again,” (3.3.99-102). Upon learning of this, Romeo’s reaction is