ROMEO & JULIET

Essay by x-chrissy-xA-, December 2007

download word file, 11 pages 5.0

Examine how Shakespeare presents love in a variety of forms in 'Romeo and Juliet'. Consider how the Language of the Characters reflects the meaning and importance of love in their lives.

William Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet in 1594 and it has since become one of his most notable plays. It is one of the most famous love stories in history and is still relevant today and has gone through many modern adaptations most notably in the film West Side Story and for ballets.

Love in its many forms plays a key part in the play. True and forbidden love between Romeo and Juliet is the key theme of the play but there are several other relationships and characters in the play where love of one form or another is displayed. There is love borne of friendship as that between Romeo, Benvolio and Mercutio exhibit to one another.

There is the love of the family as displayed between the Nurse and Juliet. The unrequited love that Romeo feels initially for Rosaline and the love of a sexual nature referred to by the Nurse and Mercutio. The different types of love add a lot of substance to the play - even though the requited love between the two protagonists is the main theme. Without the other types of love the play would not be so diverse and Romeo and Juliet might have had a normal relationship and not commit the double suicide at the end of the play.

Love in friendship is shown in the friendships between Benvolio, Mercutio and Romeo. Benvolio as his name suggests is good and kind. He is the peacemaker. This manifests itself in our first meeting of him. 'I do but keep the peace. Put up thy swords.'Benvolio is Romeo's cousin. His...