How Is Love Presented in the Play Romeo and Juliet. Is This Representation of Love Different Today?
In Romeo and Juliet, the way love is portrayed emphasizes its power and hold over its victims. It shows us how love or even passionate infatuation can cause people to behave erratically and differently to what is expected of them. Also it tells the hard truth that love is not a fairytale, it has its ups and downs, in the scenario of Romeo and Juliet, it is the anger between their families, an external factor, rather than an issue with love or trust etc. Although the most obvious portrayal of love is between the main two protagonists, there are also a few other concepts explored. Mercutio explores the more ‘vulgar’ side of love, with his sexual remarks and jokes, “If love be blind, love cannot hit the mark. Now will he sit under a medlar tree, And wish his mistress were that kind of fruit As maids call medlars, when they laugh alone. Romeo, that she were, O, that she were
An open et caetera, thou a poperin pear!” This quote from Mercutio shows us his vulgar side, as he is degrading love to sex. This is shown in his joke about medlars and his opening sentence. Juliets parents show required love. It is obvious that their marriage was arranged, and they fulfill what is and was required of them. Furthermore, Benvolio expresses a great love for friends, as he hurts when Romeo hurts. Benvolio sympathizes with Romeo during his conversation with him about Rosaline and when asked by Romeo if he finds his situation funny “This love feel I, that feel no love in this. Dost thou not laugh?” Benvolio understands his pain and replies “No, coz, I rather weep” which clearly shows that if Romeo is in a state of distress, Benvolio similarly feels emotions of upset.
I can compare this to the representation of love today. In our modern society, many things have changed since the era of Romeo and Juliet. The concept of marriage has been devalued which means that the driven desire to get married would not be there. There are so many more ways to communicate, via text messaging, social
An open et caetera, thou a poperin pear!” This quote from Mercutio shows us his vulgar side, as he is degrading love to sex. This is shown in his joke about medlars and his opening sentence. Juliets parents show required love. It is obvious that their marriage was arranged, and they fulfill what is and was required of them. Furthermore, Benvolio expresses a great love for friends, as he hurts when Romeo hurts. Benvolio sympathizes with Romeo during his conversation with him about Rosaline and when asked by Romeo if he finds his situation funny “This love feel I, that feel no love in this. Dost thou not laugh?” Benvolio understands his pain and replies “No, coz, I rather weep” which clearly shows that if Romeo is in a state of distress, Benvolio similarly feels emotions of upset.
I can compare this to the representation of love today. In our modern society, many things have changed since the era of Romeo and Juliet. The concept of marriage has been devalued which means that the driven desire to get married would not be there. There are so many more ways to communicate, via text messaging, social