literary essay

Jackson Boutin                                                                                                                       4/27/14
805                                                                                                                                             ELA

 

Literary Essay

 

 

                              The play Romeo and Juliet is a classic heartbreaking romance tragedy written by William Shakespeare. The story Romeo and Juliet takes place in the streets of Verona where two households called Montague and the other Capulet are sworn enemies. Within theses families two star crossed lovers go through thick and thin in order to keep their love alive but because there families are rivals they can't be together. Unfortunately in order to be together Romeo and Juliet killed themselves in order to be with each other in the after life. After reading the story numerous times I have come to the conclusion that the Hatred and rivalry between the Montague's and Capulet's

motivates them.

 

                          One reason why I have come to this conclusion is because in Act 3 scene 1 as Mercutio murdered by Tybalt, Romeo was infuriated and full of rage and was motivated to avenge Mercutio's death. for example it says " Alive, in triumph! and Mercutio Slain!/ Away to heaven, respective lenity,/ and fire eyed fury be my conduct now!"(3.1.117-119) this quote explains Romeo's anger because he is just realizing that Mercutio was actually murdered and hurt badly. and because of this he is livid and infuriated. Another example is Romeo says "My very friend, hath got his mortal hurt/In my behalf; my reputation stain'd/With Tybalt's slander,--Tybalt, that an hour/Hath been my kinsman! O sweet Juliet,/Thy beauty hath made me effeminate/And in my temper soften'd valour's steel!" (3.1.104-110) from this you can tell that he is still enduring Mercutio's death and at the end he talks about his temper showing that he is getting angry.

 

                            Another reason why Hatred and rivalry between the two households motivates them is so that they can protect their families for example after Tybalt's death Capulet was motivated to protect her daughter by getting her married to Paris and inherit his wealth later on in life. for example.When Paris asks for Juliet's hand in marriage, Lord Capulet tells him that Juliet is too young to get married. ("Too soon marred are those so early made,"(1.2.55) he says, clearly referencing his own wife, whom he married when she was younger than Juliet. In retrospect, Lord Capulet seems to think that marrying her when she was so young was a bad idea.) He also says he will not agree to let anyone marry Juliet unless his daughter consents to the match. He suggests that Paris start to get to know Juliet at the party the Capulets are holding that night. But after Tybalt's death Lord Capulet changes his mind and decides to have Juliet be married because after everything that's been going on with the Montague's and the Capulet's, Lord Capulet is expecting his own death and wants Juliet to inherit his wealth and get married before then.

 

                          My final reason why Hatred and rivalry between the two families motivates them is so they won't be insulted and made fun of by each other. for example at Lord Capulet's party Romeo and his gang come to crash the party Tybalt is infuriated and wants to confront Romeo and fight him. in the text it says " What dare the slave come hither, covered with an antic face, to fleer and scorn at our solemnity? Now by stock and honor of my kin, to strike him dead I hold it not a sin'"(Act 1, Scene 5, 56-60) What Tybalt is trying to say is that he will be honored if he kills Romeo who is disrespecting the Capulet's. This shows that he wants to protect the family name and will stand up to Romeo. Another example from the text says "But this intrusion shall, now seeming sweet, convert to bitterest gall."(Act 1, Scene 5, 92-93) Tybalt is not planning to forget that Romeo intruded into the Capulet's ball and he will get revenge

 

                        In conclusion William Shakespeare wrote an incredible play that will last throughout  time. The story of two crossed lovers were brought together by fate and went through obstacles that changed their lives. In the end even though Romeo and Juliet die in the end this book taught people all across the world what it's like to love, trust and even be motivated to challenge your arch enemies. what Shakespeare was trying to accomplish and tell the world with this story is that love is strong and it can change people. after reading this story I have come to the same conclusion and hope to use that knowledge in my life. Romeo and Juliet knew what it's like to love... do you know what it'slike to love?