“Romeo and Juliet” written by Shakespeare, was entirely different from what I frequently choose to read. This may be because of the old English literature, or just the fact that it is a play rather than a book, but I am glad to have explored this literary medium. Each piece of dialogue had importance in the play. The plot was particularly engaging as it progressed. I was slowly able to connect and decipher the meaning behind the words of the prologue as the scenes progressed to enhance my understanding of the plot and predict what was going to occur next. The plot of “Romeo and Juliet” is commonly known: they both die out of love for one another. What I hadn’t acknowledged was the complex themes and depth of the plot that led the protagonists to this moment. There is the theme of happiness with Romeo and Juliet’s pursuit of one another. Shakespeare has highlighted the core motivations of pleasure seeking and pain avoidance in human nature through these complex characters. More prominently, however, is how the play portrays the chaos and passion of being in love. “Romeo and Juliet” raises the argument about whether love can overpower a sense of practicality. The play demonstrated a situation where the emotion of love was romanticized to the extent of how it can become destructive.
Love is a violent, ecstatic, overpowering force that overrides all other values, loyalties, and emotions. Such as how Romeo and Juliet yearned to be with one another even though their family conflicts had taught them the other was their enemy. This powerful theme presented an expected ending. The majority of novels I read have a happy ending, but “Romeo and Juliet” portrays a different approach. Rather, the main theme I took away from both the written and acted play was how love is blinding. Love brings out the best in two people, it gives them a sense of purpose. Life without love is worthless. But what is considered the point where love is dangerous? How can emotions be both creative and destructive? The end of the story came all too soon. I was left with many thoughts on how Romeo and Juliet’s deaths affected the conflict between the families. Did they blame each other for the deaths of their loved ones? Did they come to a point of acceptance and understanding? Ultimately the play only ignited questions and contemplation on whether love is a weakness or a strength.