Social Order In Romeo And Juliet

683 Words3 Pages
Love is perhaps the most powerful emotion known to man. It is a grand passion, and as such it is blinding. Love can overwhelm a person so completely that he or she becomes oblivious to all other values, loyalties, and emotions. Romeo and Juliet show this effect of love when they challenge their social order, even though it endangers their lives and relationship within their families. Juliet exhibits the powerful effect of love when she takes drastic action to fake her own death, and Romeo shows a similar quality when he takes his own life. The actions and decisions of Romeo and Juliet reflect the theme that love makes people act irrationally. Romeo and Juliet are driven by love to defy their social order, an impetuous action that becomes extremely dangerous. As members of opposing feuding families, Romeo and Juliet’s love is immediately forbidden. However, the lovers disregard this, willing to risk their lives and further conflict between their families in order to be together. When visiting Juliet at her home, Romeo says, “And, but thou love me, let them find me here,/My life were better ended by their hate/Than death proroguèd, wanting of thy love” (2.2.81-83). Romeo’s statement proves his irrationality, as his love for Juliet…show more content…
When Romeo hears about the supposed death of Juliet, he rushes to her grave, with the intent of killing himself. Upon his death, Romeo says, “I still will stay with thee/And never from this palace of dim night/Depart again.../...Oh, here/Will I set up my everlasting rest” (5.5.106-110). Romeo’s statement proves that he is utterly consumed with Juliet, and is willing to end his life in the defense of their love. Romeo has become obsessed with Juliet and oblivious to other aspects of his life, leading him to make decisions based on emotion rather than logic. Overpowered by the intensity of his love, Romeo makes drastic, unreasonable decisions that lead to his
Open Document