Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Are there any quotes that suggest it was worth it that Romeo and Juliet died in the name of love?

Both Romeo and Juliet suggest that their love is eventually doomed so they must live as passionately as possible in the time they have. As early as Act I, Scene 4 Romeo believes that fate is ruling his life and that death is imminent. This worry, however, turns to joy after he meets Juliet. Juliet tells Romeo during the balcony scene that she doesn't want to let him go and that she might kill him with love:


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Both Romeo and Juliet suggest that their love is eventually doomed so they must live as passionately as possible in the time they have. As early as Act I, Scene 4 Romeo believes that fate is ruling his life and that death is imminent. This worry, however, turns to joy after he meets Juliet. Juliet tells Romeo during the balcony scene that she doesn't want to let him go and that she might kill him with love:



Sweet, so would I.
Yet I should kill thee with much cherishing.



Romeo tells Frar Lawrence that it doesn't matter if he dies as long he is joined in marriage with Juliet. In Act II, Scene 6, he says,



Do thou but close our hands with holy words,
Then love-devouring death do what he dare,
It is enough I may but call her mine.



Romeo purposely ignores the Friar's advice to take things slowly. He is living in the moment, absorbed by his love for Juliet and even when the Friar says, "These violent delights have violent ends," suggesting that no good can come of the impetuous romance, Romeo fails to listen. 


Death is also on Juliet's mind in her soliloquy in Act III, Scene 2 as she waits anxiously for her honeymoon night with Romeo. As she speaks of the beauty of night, she pictures herself dead in heaven but Romeo is there in the guise of the stars:




Give me my Romeo, and when I shall die,
Take him and cut him out in little stars,
And he will make the face of heaven so fine
That all the world will be in love with night
And pay no worship to the garish sun.





Later in the play, both Romeo and Juliet threaten suicide as they speak with Friar Lawrence. They would just as soon die as be separated.


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