ThEmEs Young love is shown to be instantaneous, passionate and more emotionally charged than


the physical view of love offered by Mercutio and the Nurse. However, this unchecked passion has dangerous and destructive consequences. When the family feud threatens Romeo and Juliet’s relationship, both lovers succumb to the excessive nature of their passion. Both are seen ‘weeping and blubbering’ before the Nurse, and both threaten to take their own lives to Friar Laurence. The violence of Romeo and Juliet’s passion ultimately leads them to their own deaths.


The play’s final scene illustrates how excessive passion, typical of young love, can lead to catastrophe. When Romeo learns (incorrectly) that Juliet is dead, he rushes to be with her in death. His wild passion is recognised by his servant, Balthasar, who warns Romeo, ‘I do beseech you, sir, have patience. / Your looks are pale and wild, and do import / Some misadventure.’ Romeo hastily disregards this advice and rushes to buy poison. He then goes to Juliet’s tomb, drinks the poison and ends his life. When Juliet awakens to find Romeo’s body, she spends little time in grabbing a dagger and meeting a similar end. If both lovers had behaved with some restraint and pursued their love with greater caution,


they may have avoided calamity. The ending of Romeo and Juliet is a sad reminder that the haste and passion that comes with young love can be destructive if left unchecked.


Loe Unrequited Love


Love and Social Harmony


Physical Love


Love as a Means of Social Advancement


Young Love


✓ Romeo’s unrequited love for Rosaline brings him great unhappiness.


✓ This is not genuine love as Romeo quickly forgets Rosaline.


✓ Friar Laurence sees Romeo and Juliet’s love as a way of bringing calm and order to Verona.


✓ At the end of the play, Romeo and Juliet’s love does unite the families, but they pay for this peace with their lives.


✓ The Nurse stresses good looks and physical attractiveness.


✓ Mercutio’s language places emphasis on sex and the physical side of love.


✓ Capulet and Lady Capulet see love and marriage as a way of achieving social status and wealth.


✓ Romeo and Juliet represent young love. ✓ Young love is seen as hasty, powerful and romantic. ✓ Their excess of passion, however, brings about their downfall.


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