Relationships In Romeo And Juliet

Vanessa Etchevarren
Ms. Sikorski
ENG1D1-13
26 May 2023
TITLE
One of Shakespeare’s most famous works; Romeo and Juliet, is one of the most well-known stories ever written, as well as one of the most controversial. The work is centered around Romeo and Juliet’s relationship, however, there are debates about whether or not impressionable teenagers should read the story at school due to its problematic depiction of relationships between family members and lovers. The love between the unsuspecting teenagers has a tragic end as a result of the relationship's toxic nature. Romeo and Juliet’s relationship is unhealthy because it is based on lust, rushed, and obsessive. First and foremost, the relationship between Romeo and Juliet is toxic because

The story takes place in the span of a few days, and in that short time, Romeo forgets about his lover at the time, he meets Juliet, they both fall in love, get married, and kill themselves. At the feast, the same evening Romeo and Juliet meet, the two lovers already know they are looking into getting married. Unfortunately, Romeo and Juliet do not know any better because they have to keep their relationship a secret from their parents since they are supposed to be enemies. This isolation combined with their immaturity makes them believe that what they are doing is normal and healthy. The only advice they get is from Friar Lawrence, who points out that their desire to get married could be dangerous. The Friar gives the soon-to-be wedded couple advice, and he tells them: “Therefore love moderately, love doth so;/Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow” (2.6. 14-15). However, Friar Lawrence goes against his word due to his belief that Romeo and Juliet’s love can resolve the ongoing feud between the Capulets and the Montagues. Once again, Shakespeare is advising the reader through Friar Lawrence. Shakespeare explains that a relationship should never be rushed or even forced, rather the two partners should get to know each other well over time, enjoy the process, and cherish the memories. Since Romeo and Juliet skipped this crucial step, their relationship is

Throughout the entire story, all Romeo and Juliet think about is each other, to the point where they think their relationship is what makes them have a purpose. Romeo and Juliet’s obsessiveness makes them believe that they can not live without each other, which leads them to their deaths. The obsessiveness begins to show when Juliet feels helpless after hearing about Romeo’s banishment, she expresses her devastation when she says: “that ‘banished’, that one word ‘banished’/Hath slain ten thousand Tybalts” (3.2. 113-114). Juliet feels more sorrow for Romeo, whom she met a few days prior, than for Tybalt, her cousin whom she's known since her childhood. Romeo is devastated when he hears the news of Juliet’s death and does not know how to continue living without his lover, so he kills himself. On top of all of Romeo and Juliet’s despair, they can not ask for any comfort or advice from their loved ones, because the relationship is a secret. Embedded in Romeo and Juliet's deaths is Shakespeare's lesson to not let others define someone's worth. Furthermore, readers learn that boundaries are a crucial element to develop in a relationship as to not instead develop obsessive thoughts or