Romeo and Juliet - Love vs Hate

633 Words3 Pages
In Romeo and Juliet, love and hate share the same feature in that they are both senseless and mysterious. While at some points love may be the passion used to drive Romeo head over heels for Juliet, at other times hate may be the same passion used to drive Tybalt into murderous fury. Both love and hate can be at times blinding and become as compelling as an influence that everything else is of low significance. Consequences may be ignored and lives may be lost in the process. The never-ending brawl between the Montagues and Capulets in due course envelops the lovers into conflict. Describing the initial fight between the two houses, Romeo states, “Heres much to do with hate, but more with love.” (Sc 1, Act 1, 175) Foreshadowing plays a role in providing hints for events to come as well as to present fate and destiny as a major motivation of the actions of characters. This is the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, a story demonstrating the uncontrollable feelings of love and hate through foreshadowing and fortune. Love and hate appear as a consistent and major theme presented in Romeo and Juliet. As the play begins, Romeo experiences, what he thinks to be, ‘love’ with Rosaline while Juliet is consented to marry Paris. The feast held by Lord Capulet directly results in both Romeo and Juliet attending for the sole purpose of meeting their prearranged loves, and hence drawing them together. The clash between love versus hate is especially represented during Romeo and Juliet’s first meeting. Once Juliet learns of Romeos family roots, she says, “My only love sprung from my only hate” (Act 1, Sc 5, L139). This shows her family’s hate brought about her love; the two opposing forces are vital to each other and are ever so knotted. However, to Romeo and Juliet, their love for each other and being together is far more important than what is coming between them, the hatred
Open Document