Skip to main content

What is Romeo's attraction to Juliet?

When Romeo attends the Capulet ball, he sees Juliet from a short distance and feels the proverbial "love at first sight" because of her stunning beauty.

Romeo's reaction upon seeing Juliet—"Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!" (1.5.45-46)—is shortly followed by more intense outbursts of emotion.



Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight!
For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night. (1.5.50-51)



These "violent delights," as Friar Lawrence calls Romeo's passionate feelings for Juliet, are what he warns Romeo to control:



These violent delights have violent ends,
And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,
Which as they kiss consume. (2. 6. 9-11)



However, when the friar realizes that Romeo will not be patient, he feels that he cannot allow the two young lovers to be alone together until they are married. So he performs the marriage ceremony of Romeo and Juliet secretly in his cell. Unfortunately, their "violent delights" do, indeed, have "violent ends." Romeo proves himself the victim of his "violent" and impulsive emotions since he later slays Juliet's cousin Tybalt. Unfortunately, this violent act leads eventually to Romeo's and Juliet's deaths.


In short, Romeo's attraction to Juliet is best characterized as violent—and it leads to death.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

Discuss movements that were inspired by the Civil Rights Movement and list one success for each group.

African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change... African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change for their agendas. Two examples of moveme...
Post a Comment
Read more

What are some tensions between men and women in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar?

Julius Caesar is a largely male-driven play. Calpurnia and Portia are the two main female characters, and they are both wives of major characters. Calpurnia is Julius Caesar’s wife. She makes public appearances with him, but there may be some awkwardness between them because of her inability to have children. He publicly tells Antony to touch Calpurnia to cure her of barrenness when he runs the Lupercal, a “holy race” and fertility festival. Calpurnia has... Julius Caesar is a largely male-driven play. Calpurnia and Portia are the two main female characters, and they are both wives of major characters. Calpurnia is Julius Caesar’s wife. She makes public appearances with him, but there may be some awkwardness between them because of her inability to have children. He publicly tells Antony to touch Calpurnia to cure her of barrenness when he runs the Lupercal, a “holy race” and fertility festival. Calpurnia has nightmares about Caesar’s death. She claims that she is not naturally super...
Post a Comment
Read more