Key Themes Flashcards
Love
The play begins with Romeo’s petrarchan, unrequited love towards Rosaline. The frequent use of oxymorons and juxtaposition represents Romeo and Juliet’s conflict at being in love with the supposed “enemy”. Romeo forgets Rosaline when he sees Juliet, resulting in the courtly, requited love between the two. Ultimately, as the play is a tragedy, the two “star-cross’d lovers” both perish as a result of their love and their feud.
Conflict
From the beginning of the play, we are introduced to the two rivalling families, the Montagues and Capulets. The deep-rooted conflict is emphasised as even the servants are involved, causing trouble in Verona and making “civil hands unclean.” The conflict is generational, as seen through Tybalt who possesses an extreme hatred for Montagues despite being young, showing how the conflict has affected even the younger generation.
Family
The two rivalling families are stated to be “alike in dignity” and yet they constantly fight. The Prince grows continually impatient and angry towards the two families as they “disturb the quiet” of the streets of Verona. However, at the end of the play, the two families reconcile and are presented as repenting for their actions after Romeo and Juliet are dead. Capulet calls Montague “brother” to emphasise their newfound partnership.
Fate
