“A Unique Connection to Life”

            The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is definitely suggesting how human nature should be. In this play, there are many different themes hidden inside this extravagant writing. These themes are basically an outline of how Shakespeare considers human nature to be. Shakespeare understood that humans were complex, and in Romeo and Juliet he explores how love, civil disorder, and good versus evil (light versus dark) can affect our lives.

            First, Shakespeare uses love to exemplify human nature. Love is a theme that has a connection to life, which is shown many times throughout this play. An example of this connection is shown when Romeo says:

                        Then plainly know my heart’s dear love is set

                        On the fair daughter of rich Capulet;

                        As mine on hers, so hers is set on mine,

                        And all combined, save what thou must combine

                        By holy marriage. When, and where, and how

                        We met, we wooed, and made exchange of vow,

                        I’ll tell thee as we pass; but this I pray,

                        That thou consent to marry us today. (II.ii. 62-69)

This shows that Romeo and Juliet will go through anything possible to get married. They

know the dangers of their relationship, but yet they do not let the fear and the hatred of the two families stop them. That is a direct connection to human nature because nothing in the world should stop two individuals from loving each other and getting married. Along with love, Shakespeare also uses civil disorder to suggest how human nature should be.

            Shakespeare uses the bad traits inside of his characters to bring out their civil disorder. Lord Capulet illustrates this when he says:

Hang thee, young baggage! Disobedient

                        wretch!

                        I tell thee what—get thee to church a Thursday

                        Or never after look me in the face.

                        Speak not, reply not, do not answer me!

                        My fingers itch.  Wife, we scarce thought us blest

That God had lent us but this only child;

But now I see this one is one too much

And that we have a curse in having her.     

Out on her, hilding! (III.v. 180-189)

Lord Capulet is extremely angry with his daughter for not wanting to marry with Paris. In Capulet’s mind Paris is the man for her, but she is already married to Romeo. He said some very hurtful things to Juliet out of anger. This is showing that it is best for anyone to follow their father’s rules. Even though she does not like what he is trying to make her do, it will keep him happy. Additionally, Shakespeare uses good versus evil to portray his view of life.

Shakespeare does not directly use good and evil, however, he uses symbolism to represent this. Good versus evil is revealed when Romeo says, “Love is a smoke raised with the fume of sighs; / Being purged, a fire sparkling in lovers’ eyes; / Being vexed, a sea nourished with lover’s tears” (I.i. 205-208). The smoke resembles dark while the fire resembles light.  It means that love is dark and evil, but when it blows away it’s a light sparkling in lovers’ eyes, which implies that love is also a good thing. In a way this is suggesting that love is not completely trustable. William Shakespeare is symbolically revealing both sides of love:  good and evil. This shows that love is dangerous, but also wonderful. It also implies that an individual should not fall in love with someone unless they know what they are in for.

            In conclusion, Shakespeare demonstrates his view of human nature multiple times during this play. Shakespeare understood that humans were complex, and in Romeo and Juliet he explores how love, civil disorder, and good versus evil (light versus dark) can affect our lives. He used different themes and many symbols to resemble his opinions. Shakespeare used symbolism so effectively that the themes and connections to life inside of the play are not obvious at all. It takes much reading and understanding to figure out what Shakespeare is really trying to say with each word. The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is a very complex and symbolic play that contains many themes and symbols to represent the real meaning of the text.