How Does Shakespeare Present Forbidden Love In Romeo And Juliet

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Romeo and Juliet is a tragic play written by William Shakespeare, a famous influential writer that is known for his tragic, comedic, and historical plays during the late 1500s to early 1600s. He is well known for his popular tragedies, Macbeth and Hamlet, but he is most famous for his play, Romeo and Juliet. The play is a tragedy about two young individuals that fall in love but are restricted due to being descendants of families with an ancient hatred towards one another. Shakespeare offers numerous topics that are highly important yet are not the play's main focus. Throughout the play, Shakespeare utilizes his characters and language to portray and depict the central theme of forbidden love being the most powerful, but most consequential …show more content…

When Juliet learns that Romeo is a Montague, the only enemy of her family, she expresses, "My only love sprung from my only hate!” (1.5.151). This statement displays and highlights the forbidden nature of their relationship and Juliet's instantaneous love for Romeo even after finding out that he is a part of her enemy household. The first consequence of Romeo and Juliet's love is shown when Juliet is speaking to Romeo and she states, '"...deny thy father and refuse thy name, / Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, / And I’ll no longer be a Capulet" (2.2.37-39). This quote illustrates that the depth of the love between Romeo and Juliet has pushed Juliet to sacrifice her loyalty to her family to be with Romeo. At this point, the two have known each other for a couple of hours, yet their powerful love for each other has propelled them to consider making injudicious decisions. After Romeo hears this from Juliet he later replies, "My name, dear saint, is hateful to myself / Because it is an enemy to thee" (2.2.60-61). Romeo's quick declaration and willingness to alter his name for Juliet establish the point that Romeo and Juliet's profound love for each other brings the two to make rash decisions that break societal and family expectations which will eventually lead to catastrophic