preview

Romeo And Juliet Attitudes To Love Essay

Decent Essays
Open Document

The play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare tells the story of two star-crossed lovers who manage to show different aspects of love due to the unfortunate events that occur after their meeting. Romeo and Juliet was written in the 1500’s during the Black Plague and even has a few references to it. The play itself tells the story of two children, that come from opposing families, who fall in love and begin a series of unfortunate events. The play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare exhibits different attitudes towards love through characters such as Paris, Juliet, and Romeo. Paris, the county who wishes for Juliet’s hand in marriage, shows an example of a different kind of love, mainly towards Juliet. After Tybalt’s death, Paris tells Friar Lawrence that woe has no room for love and explains that “Venus smiles not in a house of tears” (4.1.8). Paris uses a metaphor to compare Juliet to the goddess of love, Venus. He shows great love and patience for Juliet and seems to truly care about providing what’s best for her. As Paris sees Juliet and believes her to be dead, he vocalizes how he’s “thought long to see [the] morning’s face,/And doth …show more content…

Before entering the party, Romeo expresses a deep fear of “some consequence yet hanging in the stars.../But he that hath steerage of [his] course/Direct [his] sail” (1.4.114-120). This foreshadow hints at the deaths of many to come. Although Romeo seems to feel rather strongly about this premonition, he chooses to agree to the wishes of his friends. As Romeo watches Juliet from her garden, he conveys his love for her by revealing that “It is the East, and Juliet is the sun” (2.2.3). The use of a metaphor to compare Juliet to the sun demonstrates what Romeo sees Juliet as. He loves her beauty and seems to only fall for her because of it. Romeo’s love is deep for his friends but seems to only be skin deep when it comes to

Get Access