Ancient Grudge Break to New Mutiny (Romeo and Juliet Analysis)

What is the core of being human? Passion from the beginning has aided humans all throughout evolution. It is the driving instinct of survival. William Shakespeare, in his play The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet utilizes the ageless tale of the impulsivity of the human race. He weaves in hate and love through passion and irrationality. As the plot uncoils from the seams, Shakespeare writes themes of passion and the consequences that follow. 

In the beginning of the play, the two family households are introduced, the Capulets and the Montagues. From the very start, they are introduced as enemies to each other, with the first scene being a fight between servants of the two houses,“the quarrel is between our masters and us their men” (I.i.20-21). This hate between each other has been going on for a long time, and even is the main conflict in the story. Even the servants who have no true reason to hate each other find themselves drawn in this web of violent hate. Although it is never explicitly said why they have been at each other's throats, they hate with such a passion and are willing to kill at any moment. At first when Romeo and Juliet tell the Friar that they want to get married, he is wary. He worries “these violent delights have violent ends” (II.vi.9), he already sees the consequences of these impulsive decisions. Later on, Juliet’s cousin, Tybalt, kills Romeo’s friend. In a feat of passion, Romeo kills Tybalt. Even though Romeo had recognized that Tybalt was now family, his loyalty to his friend leads to a conflict in judgment. He feels conflicted, and leading to his impulsive decision to kill Tybalt. This action is what ultimately set their fate. 

Romeo and Juliet is a timeless tale of passion. Passion will always be relevant. It leads to consequences and negligence. If it only seems to bring pain, why are people so passionate? Why do Romeo and Juliet continue to love to the end? Wouldn’t it be better just to feel nothing because it is safe? But it is what drives us. Call it, love, hate, sex, whatever. It is what makes us move forward. It is the reason to live, and a reason to die. The entire play is driven by passion.It is the determining factor of their relationship. It is the begging and end of the play. Passion gives purpose. Shakespeare once wrote, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts” (As you like it, II.vii.). And passion is what makes the play meaningful.