Representation of Love in Romeo and Juliet

In the play, Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare establishes love as a powerful force that transcends all prejudices and disputes. The types of love presented vary greatly, ranging from romantic love to parental love and platonic love. This theme plays a crucial role in the storyline, and is the motivating force for the character’s actions. Shakespeare constructs this play to represent the power that love wields.

Romantic love is one of the most prominent themes of the play; the majority of the events occur due to this particular type. The play commences with Romeo love struck by Rosaline, before he’s convinced to attend the Capulet banquet, where he meets Juliet. When his eyes fall on Juliet, he is instantly driven into a desperate lust for Juliet. When the two realise who they are, families with imposed hatred for each other, the blinding love that grips them strays them from reason, with both participating in dangerous meetings. Romeo sneaks into the Capulet land for a glance at Juliet, despite the peril he would face if caught, and, at her appearance, he remarks “Juliet is the sun”. This quote refers to the majesty displayed by Juliet and that, like the sun, she’s beautiful and supplies life to Romeo. When Romeo makes his presence known, however, Juliet only displays worry. This is shown when she remarks, “If they do see thee, they will murder thee”, showing her love for him in that she wouldn’t have him found by her kinsman. These occurrences portray the ability that love has to transcend all prejudices and disputes and the selflessness displayed by those affected.

This selflessness is further displayed at Romeo’s discovery of Juliet’s supposed death. When Romeo hears news of this, he’s stricken with grief, and discovers he’d rather end his short life than live his life without his love. He devises to go to her final burial place and there end his life. When he does so, and Juliet wakes to find him dead at her side, she’s also overcome with this grief and does the same, rather than live without his love. This displays the selflessness portrayed by people who have deep affections for each other.

Platonic love is shown throughout the play as well, especially in the relationship between Romeo and Mercutio. This is demonstrated after Tybalt witnesses Romeo’s appearance at the Capulet banquet, and, while searching for Romeo to seek revenge, he ventures upon Mercutio, who he knew to be an acquaintance of Romeo. He requests to know where Romeo is, and Mercutio, knowing of Tybalt’s intentions, refuses to let up this information. In fact, despite the fact that Tybalt has been already determined as a dangerous, angry person, quick to anger and a prominent fighter, Mercutio has almost enraged him into a fight when Romeo enters the scene. At his appearance, Tybalt yells abuse at him, and, when Romeo doesn’t respond due to his relationship with Juliet, Mercutio is disgusted, claiming his submission “Calm, dishonourable [and] vile”. This quote suggests Mercutio’s friendship with Romeo, as, despite the fact that this abuse was not aimed at him, he felt that Romeo’s masculine honour was being offended, and acts on this. This shows the power of platonic love on our decisions, and the selflessness that people through it reflect.

The power of platonic love is once again demonstrated after Romeo hears news of his friend’s passing. Despite his predisposition to avoid conflict with Tybalt, he is greatly angered, and seeks him out and puts an end to his life, careless that this