Romeo and Juliet - Love Theme

UNREQUITED LOVE

- Romeo is rejected by Rosaline, and so the love he has is unrequited

- He expects people to laugh at his rejection: 'You do not laugh?'

- Paris is rejected by Juliet when he tries to court her

- He is rejected again after their engagement is announced but Juliet refuses to accept it

SEXUALITY

- There is coarse humor between the slaves at the start of the play about sexual desire

- The Nurse often makes jokes about sex that 'women grow by men'

- She also encourages Juliet to 'seek happy nights and happy days'

- Mercutio also makes sexual jokes about 'Queen Mab' and how Romeo should think about his sexual desires

ROMANTIC LOVE

- The first love is with Romeo, but his love is not returned, and Friar Laurence calls his love for her 'doting' instead of 'loving'

- There is a genuine, naive love between Romeo and Juliet: 'the world will be in love with night'

- This contrasts with the other loves presented in the play

- Paris may be in love with Juliet, but he admits that he has 'little talked of love', and so he approaches her father first and not Juliet herself

- Romeo first describes Juliet as the 'light' through his 'window', as this shows her beauty and his love for her

FRIENDSHIP

There are many friendships presented in the play. There seems to be a genuine care between certain characters.

- There is the maternal and unconditional love between Juliet and The Nurse

- There is a supportive love between Friar Laurence and Romeo

- There is a strong friendship between Benvolio, Mercutio and Romeo throughout the play, especially in the first couple of chapters

RISKS FOR LOVE

Many of the characters take risks for the people they love. These risks often lead to the tragic consequences in the play.

- Mercutio dies to protect Romeo's honour

- Friar Laurence marries Romeo and Juliet and he predicts the tragic consequence: 'these violent delights have violent ends'

- He does this for the couple's happiness and to try and unit the families

- Romeo and Juliet get married to each other without telling their families, but they love it