Analyse The Portrayal Of Love And Hate In Romeo And Juliet
Analyse the Portrayal of Love and Hate in Romeo and Juliet
Throughout Romeo and Juliet there are many contrasts in the play such as light and dark, love and hate. This latter contrast between love and hate is probably best summed up by Romeo's line in Act 1, Scene 1, which also sums up the whole play, "Here's much to do with hate, but more with love". By doing this it emphasises more what Shakespeare is trying to tell us through the play in an oxymoronic fashion, just like how shading a background behind a woman with a white dress on will make her stick out, than if say behind a light background.
This contrast between love and hate is also a major theme of the play. Verona's streets are full of violence, fighting and hate. In fact, the fighting between the Montagues and the Capulets got so bad that the prince was forced to tell them "If ever you disturb our streets again, your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace". These contrasts with the scenes of love when Romeo and Juliet are together, such as after Capulet's party when they talk. This helps to emphasise how strong the love between the couple is.
Tybalt is undoubtedly the key character where hate is concerned. His hate for the Montagues is clearly shown by his aggressive and fiery personality. "I hate the word, As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee. Have at thee coward!" Upon seeing the fight between the servants, he does not stop to consider and jumps straight into the fight and threatens to kill. "Turn thee Benvolio, look upon thy death." Later when he sees Romeo at the feast and is forced to watch him and do nothing, he is further angered and threatens of hostile, bitter revenge. "…but this intrusion shall, now seeming sweet, convert to bitterest gall". From this the audience knows immediately that he will be the villain of the play and the perpetrator of much violence.
On the opposite side, Benvolio tries to keep the peace and not start a fight between the houses as it seems he does...
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