preview

How Does Shakespeare Present Love In Romeo And Juliet

Decent Essays

♥ On the Romantic Representation of Romeo ♥
(An examination of the accuracy of Shakespeare’s portrayal of a teenage boy in love)

Shakespeare was renowned for his works concerning love. Many of his illustrious sonnets were centered around this romantic theme, including the prominent oeuvres Sonnet 18 and Sonnet 130. The former described love as an idyllic and blithe sentiment, altogether ostensible. The latter showed the author’s ingenuity, as it was a clear satire on the typical love affair of the period. Several legendary dramas produced by the splendid playwright also incorporate a theme of romance. The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, arguably the most acclaimed of all Shakespeare’s opuses, was centered around love, and depicted this in a fascinating fashion. The protagonist, Romeo, …show more content…

Surely, the august author’s portrayal of an adolescent in love was accurate, as the titular character of Romeo was rash, in love with the idea of love, and was abhorrently shallow. To begin, in The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, the male protagonist was rather impetuous when it comes to romantic affairs, alike many teenage boys, as exhibited by his wooing of Juliet. The young man did not bother to contemplate the consequences of his actions when he approached Juliet. In, “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,” (The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare, Act 1, Scene 5, lines 92-95) this is shown in a lucid manner. Romeo merely walked up to a lady of noble birth and essentially demanded she kiss him. Not only was this discourteous, but it was perilous as well. Juliet, a witty and clever girl, could have easily insulted or maligned him. This could have made Romeo, despairing and dismal after being cruelly scorned by Rosaline, into in even

Get Access