Commentary on Romeo and Juliet Essay

In the play The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, Romeo, a teen who falls madly in love with Juliet, makes difficult decisions that are directed by his feelings. Romeo is a passionate man who follows his heart, and wont let anybody choose his future. Mercutio, if he remained alive, would still not be able to convince Romeo to act more cautiously in his desire to marry Juliet. Mercutios lack of knowledge in love shows Romeo that his judgment cannot be trusted. The love that Romeo feels for Juliet is so passionate that not even Mercutio, Romeos best friend, nor the feud of the two families, can persuade.

Mercutios inexperience with love makes him nave and ignorant to how strong love really is. He taunts Romeo about his feelings and outlooks on love. During Mercutios Queen Mab speech he talks about how a dream starts out good and then turns bad., And then dreams he of smelling out a suitTickling a parsons nose as he lies asleep;/ Then he dreams of another benefice. (1.4.83, 85-86). He relates this to love, and how something can get old, and then wanting something new. Also after the party Romeo hears all of their puns and teasing remarks, and says to himself, He jests at scars that never felt a wound. (2.2.1). He is saying that Mercutio makes fun of love even though he has never felt the actual feeling before. Mercutio is looking for lust, while Romeo is finding love.

Romeos yearning to be with Juliet is so strong that he forgets about everyone else and focuses on marrying Juliet. Romeo is an affectionate man who has found the woman of his dreams. He describes Juliet in such pure, heartfelt references that it shows people how sincere he is. When Romeo sees Juliet on her balcony, he portrays how beautiful she is, Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven/ Having some business, do entreat her eyes/ To twinkle in their spheres till they return. (2.2.15-17). Romeo describes the twinkle in her eyes to be so beautiful that the stars in heaven want to borrow them to light up the night. This romantic line illustrates the love that he shares for her. Juliets feelings are also very passionate towards Romeos which creates the connection between them. Juliet, even though she is young, has never felt this way about anybody before, and is overwhelmed by the passion. She is willing to betray her family to marry her love, who is their enemy. For example, when Juliet is trying to figure things out she says, Deny thy father and refuse thy names/ Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love/ And Ill no longer be a Capulet. (2.2.37-39), meaning she is prepared to disappoint her name as a Capulet to be with Romeo. Romeo and Juliet, a pair of star-crossed lovers, are so passionately in love with each other that they would take their lives to be together forever.

If Mercutio had killed Tybalt and survived, the feud between the two households would still have re-ignited. This is because Mercutio, even though he is not a Montague or a Capulet, is Romeos crony making him on the side of the Montagues. The Capulets would then seek revenge on them for killing Tybalt. Lady Capulet is in rage when she hears the news about her nephew, I beg for justice, which thou, Prince, must give/ Romeo slew Tybalt; Romeo must not live. (3.1.189-190). Lady Capulet is enraged at the situation and at this point is fueled by her anger. Even though this is about Romeo killing Tybalt, she would still search for revenge on whoever killed him. Revenge is a powerful feeling that brings out the worst in people. Also a good deal of irrational thinking occurs when a tragedy like this happens. For example, as Lady Capulet thinks more and more about her dead nephew she plots revenge, We will have vengeance for it, fear thou not/ Then weep no more. Ill send to one in Mantua/ Where that same banished runagate doth live (3.5. 92-94). Lady Capulet is sending a hit man to take out Romeo. He would die and then the Montagues would want revenge on the Capulets. This would re-spark the flame of the feuding families.

Romeo and Juliet struggled to overcome the opinions and judgments of their

peers, but no one can come between true love. This play demonstrates tremendous heart and compassion. Romeo and Juliet made it through every obstacle just to be together, even taking their own lives. Their death brought about much grief and heartache to both families. Their death also brought a truce to the feud, because the families realized how bad it was hurting their children.