The Different Types Of Love Present In 'Romeo And Juliet' - By William Shakespeare

The Different Types of Love Present In 'Romeo and Juliet' - By William Shakespeare

In this assignment I will be looking at the different types of love present in 'Romeo and Juliet'. This is arguable one of Shakespeare's most famous plays - famous for the two devoted lovers, whose relationship was doomed from the start. But this is not the only type of love that is found in the play as there are strong bonds between parents/carers and children, friendship and infatuation which sets the scene at the start of the play.

The play opens with the obsessive infatuation that Romeo feels for Rosaline. This is the first type of love that I will investigate.

Lord Montague had become increasingly worried about his son, Romeo, when he started showing signs of depression and behaving strangely.

Lord Montague: "Shuts up his windows, locks fair daylight out, and makes himself an artificial night."

When Lord Montague expresses his concern for Romeo's behaviour to Benvolio, his nephew, Benvolio decides to confront Romeo and find out what is troubling him. Romeo eventually explains that he is 'in love' with a girl who doesn't feel the same way about him.

Benvolio: "Then she hath sworn, that she will still live chaste?

Romeo: "She hath, and in that sparing, makes huge waste: For beauty starv'd with her severity, cuts beauty off from all posterity."

Benvolio trys to comfort Romeo by telling him that there are plenty more girls and he will find someone who loves him in return,

Benvolio: "By giving liberty unto thine eyes, examine other beauties."

But Romeo insists that he will never find another.

Romeo: "Thou canst not teach me to forget."

Romeo's friend, Mercutio, decides a good way to get Rosaline off his mind is to sneak into the Capulet Ball,

Mercutio: "Nay gentle Romeo, we must have you dance."

Romeo is stubborn and doesn't want to go but eventually his friends win him over.

At the ball Romeo meets Juliet for the first time and completely forgets about his 'love' for Rosaline, and falls in love with Juliet.

Romeo: "I have forgot that name (Rosaline), and that name's woe."

This shows that he never loved Rosaline; he was simply infatuated with her. He forgets all about her once he sees Juliet.

The love between parents and children is also very prominent in this play. Romeo's parents only appear at the beginning and end of this play, but when they appear, they always seem very concerned for Romeo welfare.

Lady Montague: "Right glad I am, he (Romeo) was not at this fray."

Likewise Lord Montague shows his concern for his son when he appears depressed.

Lord Montague: "Could we but learn from wence his sorrows grow, we would as willingly give cure as known."

Lady Montague is also worried about Romeo because he...

Lady Montague: "Shuts up his windows, locks fair daylight out"

Similarly we see Lord Capulet (Juliet's father) affection for his daughter. He is asked by a boy if he can have permission to marry Juliet, but Lord Capulet shows that he want Juliet to say at home with her family when h replies to the young boy...

Lord Capulet: "Let two more summers wither in their pride, ere we may think her ripe to be a bride."

Lady Capulet makes sure that Juliet's prospective husband is very rich and good looking.

Lady Capulet: "so shall you share all that he doth posses, by having him, making yourself no less."

To a modern audience, Lord Capulet arranging his daughter's marriage behind her back would be thought of as very intrusive and controlling, but in the year of this play it was common practice.

Lord Capulet: "Of my child's love: I think she will be rul'd in all respects by me: nay more, I doubt it not."

However, when Juliet defies her father's wishes of marrying Paris later on in the play, Lord Capulet is furious with her.

Lord Capulet: "To go with Paris to Saint Peter's Church: Or I will drag thee on a hurdle thither."

Despite Lord Capulet's short temper, when Juliet 'dies' he is terribly upset.

Lord Capulet: "Sweetest flower of all the field... and leave him all life living all is death's."

Lady Capulet: "Revive, look up, or I will die with thee"

Lady Capulet is saying the complete opposite from a recent argument when she said...

Lady Capulet: "I would the fool were married to her grave."

Lord Capulet keeps repeating himself which shows his grief for the 'death' of his daughter.

Lord Capulet: "O child, o child, my soul and not my child, dead art thou, alack my child is dead and with my child my joys are buried."

Romeo also has a strong relationship between his friends, Benvolio (cousin) and Mercutio. It is very evident due to the sacrifices they make for each other.

At the beginning of the play, Benvolio says he is determined to find out what is causing Romeo's depression.

Benvolio: "See where he comes, so please you step aside, I'll know his grievance or be much denied."

Benvolio appears to be concerned about Romeo; he is patient and gives him good advice.

Benvolio: "Examine other beauties."

Later,