Religion As Portrayed In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

Faith has two meanings, one which has to do with God, and another of trust in others. Romeo and Juliet, the tale of two “star-crossed lovers,” written by William Shakespeare, is defined majorly by this theme of faith. Their love story, mangled by a feud dividing their two families, Montagues and Capulets, encompasses a broad range of situations where faith is the difference between life or death, marriage or solitude. Throughout the play, God is seen as an important figure to both Romeo and Juliet, tying to the religion of Catholicism, altogether creating a religious motif. Friar Lawrence, a guiding priest, is the embodiment of the second meaning of faith, as Romeo and Juliet both trust the Friar more than anyone else. Utilizing a religious

Right from the start, when Romeo speaks with Juliet, religious references are present. Romeo compares Juliet to a saint, and Juliet compares Romeo to a pilgrim. The conversation they share during their first meeting at the Capulet party precisely embodies the idea of faith in God and complements their own love. Romeo consoles Juliet for approaching her by calling her a “holy shrine,” apologizes for “the gentle sin” he committed, and is ready to use his lips “to smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss” (1.5.105-108). When Romeo calls Juliet a “holy shrine, ”he is describing her as a sacred person, connecting directly to faith and religion. The “gentle sin” section also demonstrates the religious motif as he elevates the mistake of beseeching Juliet to the level of an offense due to his spiritual values. Later on, during the balcony scene, when Romeo stumbles upon Juliet’s room, he references faith in religion once again. As Juliet expresses her love for Romeo and her hatred for his name, Romeo jumps out from behind the bushes and impulsively yells, “call me but love, and I’ll be new baptized” (2.2, 54-55). Here the idea of baptism connects distinctly to the ideas of church, sanctity and divinity. While Romeo and Juliet’s love is expressed through religious faith, another part of the church represents a significant part of their