Blind Love
Romeo and Juliet
Troubled Waters
Romeo and Juliet is a spicy five day love story in the form of a play. Written by Shakespeare, this play transformed into one of the most tragic and well known love stories of all time. In the play, young Romeo falls hopelessly in love with a mystery girl: Juliet. Their love blossoms at warp speed, and on the fifth day both characters commit suicide over their significant other. Romeo faces many internal conflicts with consequences over the short period, like falling in love with Juliet right after Rosaline, deciding to marry Juliet, whether to flee or fight Tybalt, and eventually the decision of his own death.
Love At First Sight
Romeo sees Juliet and instantly falls in love with her. He quotes, "'O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!'" (pg. 1013, l. 48-49)
Romeo asks a servant to find out who she is after seeing Juliet gracefully dancing with her peers. Inside Romeo, Rosaline was suddenly pushed aside to let Juliet take center stage. No one knew, but this would be the beginning of their tragic tale.
Timeline:
Act 1, Scene 5 (Romeo sees Juliet for the first time)
Act 2, Scene 6 (Romeo and Juliet decide to get married)
Act 3, Scene 1 (Romeo fights and kills Tybalt)
Wedding Bells
Within hours of meeting each other, Romeo and Juliet make the decision to get married. In today's society, years of dating is required before this life changing event takes place. However, being young and inexperienced has its price. In Act 2, Scene 6; Juliet proposes, "'The purpose marriage, send me word tomorrow. . .'" (pg. 1027, l. 157-158) With this, Romeo immediatly goes to the Friar to get everything arranged.
Family Rivalries
The Montague and Capulet families have a long history of an immense hate for each other. No one knows what fueled this disliking, but the rivalry is controlling their lives. When Romeo and Juliet marry, Romeo decides to love the Capulet's; since they are his family now too. However, when Juliet's cousin, Tybalt, slays Romeo's cousin Mercutio; Romeo goes on a revenge filled rage. In this act of not thinking, Romeo decides to kill Tybalt to avenge for his cousin's death. Without thinking through the consequences, Romeo gets banished from Verona and is never to return or see Juliet again. Romeo states his dismay, "[They fight. Tybalt falls.] 'O, I am fortune's fool!'" (pg. 1048 l. 141-145)
Love Kills
In the last Act of the play, tragedy strikes both the Capulets and the Montagues. Both of their sweet children take their own life. When Romeo hears of Juliet's passing, he immediately rushes to Verona despite his banishment and poisons himself to not live without Juliet. This is a major decision that affects many people. The internal struggle Romeo faced was one of great heights. Romeo concludes the story with a toast to Juliet by saying, "'Thus with a kiss I die.'" (pg. 1096 l. 123) He then drinks the poison an falls to his death.