Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is the most well-known and well-loved romance story of all times. Juliet's character provides the strongest influence in the play.

Romeo and Juliet is undoubtedly the most well-known love story of all times. Penned by greatest playwright Shakespeare, this story has influenced various creative works since it first saw light. The overriding theme of Romeo and Juliet is, obviously, great love.

Their love is the kind of love that swells with intense passion and overcomes all obstacles even great hatred and death. The greatest hindrance to their love story is the fact that Romeo and Juliet belonged to two feuding families – Montague and Capulet, respectively.

Focus on Juliet

Shakespeare paid particular attention to Juliet in this masterpiece. He arranged the play in such a way as to make Juliet the center of focus. It was during the Capulet’s traditional feast that Romeo first met Juliet and they fell in love.

Probably the most famous scene in the play is the part where Juliet stood in the balcony, and hankering after Romeo. This is followed by the couple’s confession of love for each other which, as we know now, paved the way for their tragic end.

The controversial subject of forbidden love in Romeo and Juliet must have prompted Shakespeare to focus the story on Juliet. Women, naturally, are associated with great emotions such as love than men.

It is understandable and acceptable then that Juliet being a woman is presumed to be more capable of deeper emotions than Romeo. It is at her bidding that Romeo defied family, friends and even society as shown by the lines, “Deny thy father and refuse thy name,” Juliet asks, “Or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, / And I’ll no longer be a Capulet”.

Juliet’s Inspiration

Romeo was in love with Juliet, no doubt about that. But to act in such a rush and desperate manner such as killing oneself in the ultimate act of love is not in keeping with a man’s character. It was Juliet’s character that provided the key to understanding the emotional context of the play and the emotions that plagued Romeo prior to suicide.

It was Juliet’s emotional state that explained their decision to commit suicide - as the highest and most fitting expression of their love. It was only through death that they were able to preserve their deep feelings for each other. More importantly, it was Juliet’s emotional pleas and prodding on Romeo that provided the direction in which the play took.

Seeing the love story unfolded through Juliet’s eyes enabled the audience to appreciate the depth and intensity of their love. Juliet, perhaps, also provided the most apt description of their love by, ironically, refusing to describe it: “But my true love is grown to such excess / I cannot sum up some of half my wealth” (III.i.33–34).

The intense love between them could not simply be defined by words. If Juliet was the emotion behind the play; it was Romeo who exemplified action and ideals. Romeo’s role then is defined by the inspiration Juliet provides.