Through out the course of English literature, there have been numerous works on love. The word love tends to portray a image of happiness and joy, but in many plays and novels it is the complete opposite. Instead love is often shown in its tragic form, resulting in the death of one or more characters. The best known tragedy of love ever written is the play "Romeo and Juliet". Romeo and Juliet is the perfect example demonstrating the power and passion associated with love. Two star-crossed lovers destined to never be together. Even though Romeo and Juliet are from two rival families, they were determined to express their love despite the consequences that would follow. The forcefulness of their love, their love being a cause of violence and the inevitability of fate results in Romeo and Juliet's deaths.
The dominant and most important theme in the "Romeo and Juliet" is love. Specifically, romantic love and Shakespeare builds upon the intense passion that is eminent at the first sigh between Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare tends to depict love as not only a expression of two people's feelings, but also a violent and overwhelming power; possessing both Romeo and Juliet. Eventually they both defy their family values and loyalties just to be together. Juliet goes to the extend of saying "O Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? and I"ll no longer be a Capulet" (Act 2, Scene 1, Line 74-78); denying her family name and roots to further her cause for love; she asks Romeo to do the same. Romeo also commits an impulse action by abandoning his friends at the Capulet feast just to see Juliet. He is blinded by Juliet's beauty and her grace; describing her as "Juliet is the sun. Arise, fair sun and kill the envious moon." (Act 2, Scene 1, Line 44-64). Towards the climax of the play, Romeo returns to Verona for Juliet. After the Prince of Verona has exiled him on pain of death. The forcefulness of their love will result in many actions foreshadowing their death.
