Themes

The power of love

Romeo and Juliet is often considered the greatest love story of all time, so naturally love is a central theme. The play contains some of the most beautiful love poetry ever written, but Shakespeare also portrays romantic love as a dangerously intense force that may lead to rash actions and ruin. Within hours of meeting each other, Romeo and Juliet start defying the natural order of things, the values of society, and their obligations to friends and family. Their love is characterized by haste, secrecy, and recklessness, which ultimately lead to their deaths. 

The play shows how such reckless behavior has severe consequences for the people around the lovers. Romeo’s decision to keep his marriage to Juliet from his friend Mercutio leads to Mercutio’s death. Similarly, Juliet’s decision to conceal her marriage and play along with her father’s wedding plans causes Count Paris’ downfall. First he suffers a broken...