Representation of Love in Romeo and Juliet

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may have a detrimental effect on his relationship with Juliet. “Either thou or I, or both, must go with him.” This quote refers to the length at which he will go to rectify the death of his closest friend. He is willing to risk his life to remedy the death of his friend, and this yet again demonstrates the power of platonic love.

The scene that unfolds after Romeo’s banishment, enacted between Juliet and her father, presents yet again the power of romantic love and also demonstrates parental love. Juliet, while being confronted with her father, is told she is to marry Count Paris. Despite our knowledge of Lord Capulet’s power and his intolerance of disobedience, Juliet argues with him, claiming “Proud can I never be of what I hate;/ But thankful even for hate that is meant love.” In this quote, Juliet argues with her father, even though he has the ability to expel her from his household and family. She is saying that, although she doesn’t like arrangement, she is thankful for his effort. The parental love evident in this passage proves the circumstances in which it takes for parental love to be of the most power. In this passage, throughout Capulet’s lecture, Lady Capulet doesn’t step in to ease her suffering, but stands speechless at his side. The nurse, however, who is evidently the real parental figure of Juliet, does step in in a feeble attempt to divert his anger. This is demonstrative of the power that this love nurses as Lord Capulet has the ability to dismiss her from his services.

Parental love is further established in the final act of the play, when both houses are in deep sorrow of the death of their children. It shows the power of parental love, as the two feuding houses are able to reconcile with each other, but only at the demise of their only children. For two houses that have been feuding for longer than either house can remember is quite an achievement, but it cost the lives of their two children to prove this.

In Romeo and Juliet, love is represented as a powerful driving force that influences many decisions. The entire play is centred on it, suggesting that life itself is centred on it. The play displays the true power of love, and the many different ways in which it’s felt, between friends, family and lovers, and it suggests that love is pivotal in our lives.