Romeo & Juliet Key Themes and QuotationsTheme Quotations Techniques Analysis1. Love “Immediately we do exile him

hence”

“O loving hate”

Use of dynamic verb ‘exile’ and adverb ‘immediately’

Oxymoron, juxtaposition

This is the catalyst for the tragedy – a pivotal part of the play as the lovers have been separated and from now on events spiral into tragedy.

Love is a fundamental part of Romeo and Juliet, and is a central theme throughout the play. Shakespeare portrays love to be a complex and tragic subject rather than a joyful happy emotion. Although hatred and rivalry is constantly brought up on several occasions the irony lies in the fact that it is love that ultimately destroys Romeo and Juliet. Moreover, the theme of love is used to overpower all other emotion and gives the audience an idea of how restricting a person’s freedom or plaguing their love with anger and hate will only bring tragedy.

‘Oh loving hate’ juxtaposes two very different emotions both of which signify strong feelings. Shakespeare uses this ironic statement to show the complexity of love and how it can lead to tragedy. The fact that love and hate is used at the same time conveys a sense of vulnerability embedded between Romeo and Julie’s love. Love usually holds connotations of happiness and unity but in this case it used to separate and divide.

2. Fate and free will

“star-crossed lovers” (Prologue)

“bright angel” (Romeo of Juliet)

“I defy you stars!”

“inauspicious stars” (Romeo when he thinks Juliet is dead)

Metaphor

Semantic field of heaven

Personification, evocative adjective

Fate and freedom is an important theme in Romeo and Juliet which is explored throughout the play. From the very beginning, in the prologue, Shakespeare introduces the idea of fate bringing the “star-crossed lovers” together; suggesting that their love is meant to be. This theme is continued throughout the first act when a semantic field of heaven is used. The ideas of “angels” in “heaven” implies that a higher power has control over Romeo and Juliet falling in love. Therefore the two characters don’t have control of their fate and what the future holds.

Furthermore, as the play progresses, the audience as well as the characters can sense Romeo and Juliet's fate drawing closer. Romeo defies the “stars” when he thinks that Juliet is dead. Shakespeare uses symbolism of “stars” to present the fate and future of Romeo and Juliet’s love. Romeo’s anger towards the “inauspicious stars” suggests the “star-crossed lovers'” plans have gone astray; resulting in tragic deaths.

3. Friendship and enemies “Deny thy father and refuse thy name.”

“I have been feasting with my enemy.”

Metaphor, use of imperative

Metaphor, juxtaposition of “feast” with “enemy”

During the play ‘Romeo and Juliet’, Shakespeare explores the theme of friendship and enemies. In Act 2 Scene 2 this theme is delved into further when Juliet wishes Romeo would reject his family name by “denying” his father and “refusing thy name”. Or, if he will not, then he will reject her “name” for their love. This exemplifies to the audience that despite the fact that their families are enemies, their love for one another is stronger than that, resulting in them being willing to “deny” their very identities

Furthermore, this theme is reiterated through the following scene. During Scene 3, Romeo and the Friar discuss his recent encounter where he has “been feasting with mine enemy”. The use of juxtaposition contrasts the complexities and difficulties which the pair encounter as a result of their feuding families.

4. Families “My will to her consent is but a part.” (Lord Capulet)

“Sir Paris, I will make a desperate tender/Of my child’s love; I think she will be ruled in all respects by me...” (Lord Capulet)

Metaphor (tender), dynamic verb (ruled), evocative adjective (desperate)

In Romeo and Juliet one of the central themes is family. Shakespeare conveys the theme through the relationship between capulet and his daughter Juliet. Furthermore, Shakespeare suggests that Capulet is a ‘modern’ father because at the beginning of Romeo and Juliet, he gives Juliet a say in who she marries. This can be seen when Capulet says ‘my will…but a part”. This stresses that Capulet seems to be a modern parent for this time apparently willing to let Juliet decide if she’d like to marry Paris or not. A Shakespearean audience might be shocked that Capulet gives so much freedom to Juliet over her marriage as contextually at this time men controlled their wives and daughters and when their daughters get married their husbands then control them. A modern audience might be shocked by the conservative values that aristocratic men possessed. Lord Capulet’s attitude towards his daughter vey significantly for modern day values regarding love marriage and women. Legally today marrying at the age of thirteen is not viable. Women are expected to reach adulthood and then they are able to choose their own husband.

However, Capulet completely changes his mind as the play progresses possibly because he thinks his legacy is threatened. This can be seen when Capulet says “I think she will be ruled/in all respect by me…” This is an ironic statement and unbeknown to Capulet his daughter is already married to Romeo. Furthermore, The business word ‘tender’ suggests that Capulet is trying to sell his daughter. A Shakespearean audience may praise Capulet for his power over his family as a head of the household.

Conversely, a modern audience may feel anger towards Capulet for trying to sell his daughter as in today’s society that is not universally acceptable.

KEY TECHNIQUES

1. Metaphor (and extended metaphor)

2. Oxymoron (showing mixed feelings)

3. Simile

4. Dynamic verbs

5. Evocative adjectives

6. Powerful noun phrases

7. Significant parallels

8. Clear juxtaposition

9. Foreshadowing

10. Dramatic irony