"Romeo and Juliet" is an Elizabethan play of tragedy, written by William Shakespeare. Romeo and Juliet is about two "star-crossed" lovers, of feuding households, who die for the ultimate price of love, and each other. Shakespeare communicates the underlying main idea of love through contrasting the many different forms of love which appear through the play. Various characters in the play talk of love from many different points of view. We are shown that not everyone's view of love is the same, and this can create conflict when communicating honestly about the sensitive subject. We learn that deep, passionate, and romantic love is the purest of all the various forms, and can be more power ...view middle of the document...
Mercutio thinks Romeo is going to see Rosaline and mocks Romeo for his view on romantic love; speaking of Rosaline in a very physical, emotionless, and demeaning way. Mercutio believes Romeo views love the same way as him, while in reality they are virtually opposites. The Nurse, like Mercutio, sees love as sex or producing children, and views love in the same crude way. The Nurse advises Juliet that "Romeo's a disclout to [Paris]" and that Paris "excels your first". The Nurse is only trying to comfort Juliet, by sharing her own views and thoughts, and stating that Paris would be a better provider, or father, because of his status and power. Nevertheless the Nurse fails, as nobody understands Romeo and Juliet's passionate love. We learn that it is often hard for people with different views of love to communicate openly and honestly about love, without others being hurt or misunderstood.A not so common view of love today is financial love; where people see marriage as a financial transaction to secure their future social and economic advancement. Lord and Lady Capulet plan to marry Juliet off to Paris, for the social and monetary advantages in being linked to the Prince, through Paris. The Lord and Lady view love as just an optional extra to marriage. Lord Capulet spells out Juliet's situation to Paris, "within her scope of choice lies my consent and fair according voice". Juliet is an heiress, and her father does not intend to enrich any, but a husband of his choosing. Although, when Juliet refuses to marry Paris, her parents are furious. Lady Capulet states that she has "done with thee", and not to talk to her, for she will "not speak a word". Lord Capulet is outraged and threatens Juliet that "get thee to church on Thursday or never after look me in the face". Since the Lord and the Lady, and Juliet don't have the same views on love, the Lady and the Lord finds Juliet's rejection as an insult to their hard work finding a suitable husband, to both their likings and a groom who will advance them in that da...
