Maryam Al-Rubaiee
Mr. Cohen
END2D
October 21, 2024
What Correlation is there between Love and Loyalty within ‘Romeo and Juliet’?
Love and loyalty are often associated with one another, due to being qualities of similar nature. Through Shakespeare’s writing of romantic and familial bonds, we can see that he explains how love can both strengthen and weaken loyalty, particularly when driven by personal desires rather than the mutual respect needed in a long and lasting relationship. In Romeo and Juliet, the correlation between love and loyalty is portrayed as weak, with Romeo frequently prioritising his intense passion for Juliet over his obligations to his family, which ultimately leads to the play’s turning point from comedy to tragedy.
Romeo’s emotional isolation shows his wavering loyalty toward his family, as his focus shifts dramatically between familial responsibilities and his own desire for love. “What sadness lengthens Romeo's hours?” (Act 1, Scene 1, 155). Benvolio's display of loyalty is strongly evident as he clearly attempts to understand the emotional turmoil Romeo is experiencing, and demonstrates his deep care for his cousin. The word “lengthens” references the prolonged era of Romeo’s suffering, emphasising his emotional withdrawal from his family, which is tired out by his infatuation. Benvolio suggests metaphorically that “sadness lengthens Romeo's hours,” comparing Romeo’s emotional burden to a weight that makes time drag on. This metaphor highlights the depth of Romeo’s feelings over Rosaline and suggests the intensity of his sadness. In this scene, Benvolio dominates the dialogue, showcasing his role as a loyal and protective cousin. His speech contrasts Romeo's silence and emotional distance, showing us a great example of Benvolio’s active role in trying to bring Romeo back into the family’s fold. During the Elizabethan era, loyalty to one’s family, especially for noble families like the Montagues, was highly valued. Romeo’s isolation reflects his rejection of this societal expectation, making him seem weak and uncaring for the conflict between love and duty.
Romeo’s infatuation with Rosaline, and eventually Juliet, demonstrates how love, when it’s deeply rooted for immediate gratification and desire, weakens the connection between not just himself and these girls, but also his family.
“She hath Dian's wit, and, in strong proof of chastity well armed, from love's weak childish bow she lives uncharmed.” (Act 1, Scene 1, 204-206)
Romeo’s obsession with Rosaline distracts him from the Montague-Capulet feud and his duties to his family, showing a lack of loyalty. His focus on unattainable love causes him to ignore the conflict between his family and the Capulets, prioritising his desires over familial loyalty. Shakespeare’s use of the phrase “love’s weak childish bow” not only makes the point of the immature and fleeting nature of Romeo’s actions, but critiques the impulsive nature of his idea of love. It may imply that Romeo’s love, while it is intense, is ultimately shallow, and undermines the true loyalty to a partner and family. Shakespeare uses this metaphor to compare love to a “weak childish bow,” reflecting Romeo’s emotional immaturity. His love for Rosaline is unrequited and shallow, and his love for Juliet is driven by infatuation rather than a meaningful bond. Romeo’s monologue dominates the dialogue here, revealing his self-centred focus. He frequently talks about his own suffering, which creates a barrier between him and his family’s concerns. The structure of Romeo’s dialogue is lengthy and introspective. It highlights his emotional isolation and also distances him from the immediate shared dialogue in family scenes. The narrative choice truly shows us how Romeo’s internal struggle with the correlation of love and loyalty slowly distances him further away from familial responsibilities, and making love an isolated quality from loyalty. The idea of gracious and perfect love involved unrequited love and the idolization of an unattainable woman. Romeo’s fixation on Rosaline mirrors this ideal, but he also shows his conflict between romantic desire and social duty once he moves on to Juliet.
Romeo’s impulsive decisions, driven by his selfish and careless idea of love, lead to the ultimate breakdown of not only loyalty, but of the love he disregarded from his family.
“Here's to my love! [Drinks poison] O true apothecary! Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die.” (Act 5, Scene 3, 119-121).
Romeo’s decision to end his life upon seeing Juliet’s lifeless body shows how his idea of love leads to irreversible consequences. His focus on his own emotional pain, rather than considering the impact of his actions on others, results in the tragic conclusion of the play. The word “quick” in Romeo’s final line reflects the impulsiveness of his actions, as he rushes to take his own life without contemplating the possibility that Juliet might still be alive. His line, “Thus with a kiss I die,” serves as a metaphor that puts death on the same scale as a kiss, expressing his love for Juliet. This comparison shows how Romeo perceives his death as a means to be united with Juliet, not considering the destructive nature of their love. Romeo’s words when Juliet is absent are spoken as if in a soliloquy, emphasising his focus on personal longing. These lines allow us to have a glimpse into his lonely, idealised perception of love, which further distances him from the people who love and respect him. In Elizabethan society, suicide was considered a mortal sin. Romeo’s choice to take his own life not only demonstrates the extent of his emotional impulsiveness but also reflects his rejection of societal norms and his family’s values.
Throughout Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare presents love and loyalty as two opposing forces that drive the characters toward their tragic ends. Romeo’s impulsive decisions and broken definition of love constantly undermines his loyalty to his family, resulting in isolation, conflict, and ultimately, tragedy. The weak correlation between love and loyalty is evident in Romeo’s choices, as his personal desires outweigh his familial responsibilities. This conflict serves as a central theme in the play, showing us how passion, disguised as unhealthy obsession, can destroy both love and loyalty.
Work Cited
Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. Nelson, 1597.
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