The Reactions of Romeo & Juliet

The Reactions of Romeo & Juliet

            Romeo and Juliet is a famous play written by William Shakespeare. Shakespeare was an English poet, a playwright, and an actor.  He had written around 57 books and Romeo and Juliet is just one of them. The story of Romeo and Juliet takes place in Verona and it is about a grudge between Montagues and Capulets. The son of Montague, Romeo, is in love with Juliet, who is the daughter of Capulet. Romeo and Juliet, the star-crossed lovers, meet each other at a feast to which Romeo has not been invited, their families are bitter enemies as a result, the way they respond has little resemblance.

           After Romeo and Juliet know that their loved-one is their enemy, they resulted in different kinds of reaction. First of all, how does Romeo react when he finds out Juliet is his enemy? “Is she a Capulet? O dear account! My life is my foe’s debt.” (I, 5 ,131-132). Romeo is thinking that now his life is trapped in his enemy’s hand, which also means my life belongs to my enemy. Romeo is thinking with a way to survive, but on the other hand, Juliet is thinking in a different way. “My only love, sprung from my only hate! Too early seen unknown, and known too late! Prodigious birth of love it is to me. That I must love a loathed enemy.” ( I, 5, 154-157). Juliet fell in love with Romeo before she knows that he is her enemy. Juliet now must love an enemy. The way Juliet reacts is more about being regretful to know too late about Romeo. Juliet does not really think think about the future which Romeo does. Since Romeo is a boy, he thinks about survival and others. Unlike Juliet, who is a girl, thinks more about romance.  

          Both Romeo and Juliet not only think of survival and romance they also react in different ways. After the feast ends, Romeo and Juliet cannot stop thinking about each other. Romeo is thinking if he should see Juliet while his friends are finding him. “Can I go forward when my heart is here? Turn back, dull earth, and find thy center out.” (II, 1, 1-2). Romeo wants to follow what his heart says, which is to find and see Juliet. It seems like he does not care about that Juliet is his enemy and they could not be together. Romeo’s mind is all about Juliet and he is so obsessed about Juliet. During that time, Juliet is on her balcony thinking about being a Capulet and Romeo being a Montague. “O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name! Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, And I'll no longer be a Capulet.” (II, 2, 35-38) Juliet wants Romeo to abandon his identity. If he does not, then Juliet will abandon her identity as a Capulet and be together with Romeo. In this situation, Juliet is thinking about the future and obstacles. However, Romeo does not think about any obstacles or their future in this situation. Romeo is impulsive to see Juliet in any seconds.