Themes, Motifs Symbols in Romeo and Juliet - 2510 Words

Themes Themes are the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work. The Forcefulness of Love Romeo and Juliet is the most famous love story in the English literary tradition. Love is naturally the plays dominant and most important theme. The play focuses on romantic love, specifically the intense passion that springs up at first sight between Romeo and Juliet. In Romeo and Juliet, love is a violent, ecstatic, overpowering force that supersedes all other values, loyalties, and emotions. In the course of the play, the young lovers are driven to defy their entire social world: families (Deny thy father and refuse thy name, Juliet asks, Or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, / And Ill no longer be a Capulet);†¦show more content†¦In the play, love emerges as an amoral thing, leading as much to destruction as to happiness. But in its extreme passion, the love that Romeo and Juliet experience also appears so exquisitely beautiful that few would want, or be able, to resist its power. The Individual Versus Society Much of Romeo and Juliet involves the lovers struggles against public and social institutions that either explicitly or implicitly oppose the existence of their love. Such structures range from the concrete to the abstract: families and the placement of familial power in the father; law and the desire for public order; religion; and the social importance placed on masculine honor. These institutions often come into conflict with each other. The importance of honor, for example, time and again results in brawls that disturb the public peace. Though they do not always work in concert, each of these societal institutions in some way present obstacles for Romeo and Juliet. The enmity between their families, coupled with the emphasis placed on loyalty and honor to kin, combine to create a profound conflict for Romeo and Juliet, who must rebel against their heritages. Further, the patriarchal power structure inherent in Renaissance families, wherein the father controls the action of all other family members, particularly women, places Juliet in an extremely vulnerable position. HerShow MoreRelatedWilliam Shakespeare s Romeo And Juliet791 Words   |  4 Pages1. Romeo and Juliet – William Shakespeare a. Plot: Starting in the city streets of Verona, two servants of the opposing houses fight. Though Benvolio (a Montague) tries to stop this, Tybalt (a Capulet) arrives and violence ensues. The Prince sees this and calls, â€Å"Hey, do this again and capital punishment will be involved.† Romeo, the emo son, of Lord Montague whines extraordinarily about his â€Å"love† (lust) for Rosaline. She is chaste and he wants her. Benvolio tells him, â€Å"Your crazy dude; its justRead MoreWilliam Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet Essay1399 Words   |  6 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet According to the dictionary, fate is the â€Å"inevitable destiny or necessity destined term of life; doom.† This means that fate can be described as a pre-planned sequence of events influencing ones life. Romeo and Juliet would have been performed to an Elizabethan audience who believed very strongly in â€Å"fate† and â€Å"fortune†. Fate was destined to happen and no one could alter it. Throughout the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare constantlyRead MoreFigurative Language in Romeo and Juliet1470 Words   |  6 Pagesfigurative language. These methods of literary enrichment served as wondrous devices utilized to a great extent by the acclaimed playwright and tragedian, William Shakespeare. 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