Romeo and Juliet: The Tragic Story of Love Driven by Hate (Literary Essay Sample)

The story of Romeo and Juliet is known as a tragic love story about two young lovers deeply devoted to one another. However, when closer look is taken at what truly drives the unfortunate events of the play, it is evident that the story is powered by hate. Although the two main characters took their lives for one another, hate influenced the series of events which caused them to do so. Their love was clearly strong, but their fate would not have happened the way it played out if love was in their favor. The antagonism of the Capulets and Montagues, Tybalt and his violent shenanigans, and the grievous hatred of the stars affirm Romeo and Juliet is ultimately a story of hate.  

As the play opens with fighting in the square of Verona due to a vicious feud between the Capulets and Montagues, viewers and readers first see hatred in Shakespeare’s work. The despicable feud marks the beginning of Romeo and Juliet’s ill-fate. It is accurate that if it were not for the rage of the two households, Romeo and Juliet would not have been as passionate and devoted to each other. It is common when one cannot have something, their desire for it grows stronger. Romeo and Juliet’s affection for one another clearly grew as adverse situations were thrown their way. Despite their efforts to overcome their parent’s indignation, it was not powerful enough. While it may be true this affection revealed itself, it would have never been as strong if it were not for the feud, proving Romeo and Juliet is driven by hatred. 

Although Romeo and Juliet fall in love at first sight with each other and fight against the odds together, Tybalt’s violence fights back even stronger. At the Capulet party, Tybalt’s hate is shown through his anger towards Romeo attending. His hatred has a large role in every aspect of the play. Romeo and Juliet did everything in their power to overcome the circumstances they faced. Their love may have been substantial, but the foundation of the love is unfortunately due to hatred. The events following Tybalt’s spiteful behavior directly effect Romeo and Juliet’s relationship for the worse. For example, when Tybalt kills Mercutio, it sets off a series of affliction. Romeo killing Tybalt in spite of his friend’s death resulted in his banishment from Verona. His exile prevented Romeo and Juliet from ever revealing their marriage as well. The consequences of Tybalt’s hatred were directly taken out on Romeo and Juliet, and Shakespeare shows the claim stating hate is absolutely the center of his play once again.  

As it is known one’s fate cannot be avoided, and the stars evidently had a hatred for Romeo and Juliet that conquered their love, rather than their love conquering fate. The instances they faced were out of their control, and they simply could not live happily ever after. When evaluated, it seems as if the stars truly despised the two lovers. If the stars were in Romeo and Juliet’s favor, the play would’ve been drastically different. It may be correct that the difficulties their fate had in store were handled with love. If the two had not loved each other, they would not have taken their lives for the sake of one another. Nonetheless, a hateful fortune vanquished their love, causing them to fall out of one another’s reach.  

In conclusion, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet should be concluded as a story ultimately about hatred. Sadly, Romeo and Juliet could never overcome their obstacles. They had a great love and care for one another, but it was just mere short of overcoming the malice of all the odds against them. Therefore, the tragic play is consequently about hate.