Theme of Love

"let lips do what hands do." (Romeo)

repeated images of hands and lips symbolise intimacy.

"So tedious is this day as is the night before some festival to an impatient child."

Attitudes of love conveyed through Juliet's anticipation to unite sexually with Romeo. She simply cannot wait to explore the sexual act of marries lovers. Adjective "tedious" indicates she is bored and wishes to be with Romeo as soon as possible. Her eagerness implies that she has been yearning for their first night together and is enthusiastic for the mature experiences. Hints of social historical context- sexual intercourse was only for after marriage. Attitudes to love is romantic and erotic here.

"he will make the face of heaven so fine."

Juliet entails that Romeo's beauty is so great that it will improve the standard of heaven. Religious and astrological references and connotations of the noun "heaven" emphasises the significance of this statement. She is a very religious person who. like many in the Elizabethan Era, believed in astrology and trusted in the virtuous concept of heaven. Thinking that Romeo will enhance heaven, which is already supposed to be perfect, signifies how strong her passion is for him. Dramatic attitudes to love here.

"share all that he doth posses."

Lady Capulet values material things, like status, power and wealth, far more highly than love. Marriage in her view should improve a women's situation in life. She places no consideration on whether Juliet loves Paris when arranging their marriage. Verb "posses" indicates Juliet's mother is greedy for money and titles- might be the reason she married Lord Capulet, despite the infamous feud. No interest i true love, may not even believe in it. Thus, her opinions contradict those of her daughter's. Lady Capulet's perspective on love may echo those of typical Elizabethan women.

-"too flattering sweet to be substantial." (Romeo) -"my only love sprung from my only hate." (Juliet)

Love is an immeasurable value. too good to be true. Their love is ironic and infelicitous.

-"he lent me council." (Juliet) -"with love's light wings." (Romeo)

Love is personified through a guiding force.

"death marked love."

Prologue dooms their love from the very beginning.

"O happy dagger!"

Romeo goes to find Juliet in the Capulet tomb, believing her to be dead. He takes some poison and dies. Juliet awakens, finds her love poisoned and kills herself with Romeo's dagger so they can be together in the afterlife.This shows that Juliet is happy to die, as she describes the dagger, the instrument of her death, as 'happy'. The use of the exclamation mark illustrates her emotion - she is both elated and distraught - she cannot cope with life without Romeo so decides to join him in death.

"come...come...come"

Shakespeare presents attitudes towards love in the play most commonly through soliloquy's. Juliet longingly awaits her precious Romeo. Repetition of imperative verb throughout her speech at the balcony implies that Juliet desires Romeo to such an extent that it is as if she is ordering him to materialize before her eyes. It also suggests that Juliet is desperate for Romeo's presence, portraying how infatuated she is with him. This strengthens the recurring attitudes to love in the play.

"fairest stars in all the heaven"

Shakespeare presents the theme of love in the play through the powerful language that Romeo uses. Shakespeare has made Romeo's uncontrollable love and desire for Juliet evident in his thoughts of her. Use of the adjective "fairest" emphasises that Juliet's eyes are more twinkling and bright than the stars. Soliloquy consists of nouns, "stars" and "heaven" which are astrological references, resulting in Romeo sounding extremely poetic. Thus, it is ever prevalent to the audience the ways in which Shakespeare conveys the theme of love through the dialogue of Romeo and Juliet.

-"this holy shrine." (Romeo) -"my dear saint." (Romeo) -"pilgrim." (Juliet)

True love shown through religious images. Romeo worships Juliet as if she's a religious figure.