Love Kills in Romeo and Juliet Essay Example

Romeo and Juliet, a twisted tale by William Shakespeare, cautions readers about the dangers of love. Throughout the death of Tybalt, Mercutio, Lady Montage, Paris, Romeo, and Juliet, one prominent similarity faced the readers. All of the deaths caused by love. Whether a romantic, friendship, or family love, love killed in this play. Paris and Romeo died for their love of Juliet. Juliet died for her love of Romeo. Mercutio died for his love of Romeo and Tybalt for his love of Juliet. Lady Montague died in the heartbreak of her Romeo. Love kills, clearly a strong theme in Romeo and Juliet because of the many heartbreaks following death.

Even since the beginning of the book, readers knew that Romeo and Juliet’s love ended in a tragedy. When Romeo found Juliet dead, he sealed their love when he drank poison to live with her in the afterlife. “Here’s to my love! (Drinks.) O true apothecary! Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die” (5.3.119-120). Romeo kissed Juliet before collapsing, proving his final thoughts.

When Juliet awoke to see Romeo dead beside her, “I will kiss thy lips. Haply some poison yet doth hang on them to make me die with restorative” (5.3.164-165). Not a doubt in her mind, she would kill herself for. Desperate, Juliet even tried to kiss his lips, hoping poison still remained on them. True love is verified as strong enough to link them together forever, through death.

Not only does Romeo and Juliet’s love for each other sacrifice their lives, but other important characters in their stories died for their loyalty as a friend. In a thrilling battle between the Capulets and Montagues, Mercutio stepped in. As Romeo’s best friend, he fought Tybalt for Romeo, even though not asked to. After the stabbing of Mercutio, he added, “Why did the devil come between you? I was hurt under your arm” (3.1.97-98).

Mercutio implied his infatuation with the devil for separating him and Romeo through death. Mercutio curses the devil for getting injured under his closest allies' arm. To avenge his death, Romeo proved his love for Mercutio by slaying Tybalt. “That late thou gavest me; for Mercutio’s soul is but a little way above our heads, staying for thine to keep him company. Either thou or I, or both, must go with him” (3.1.121-124). Romeo loved Mercutio so much that he would risk his life just to get revenge. He implied that it wouldn’t matter if even he died, at least he could remain with Mercutio in heaven. The power of friendship caused the risk of many lives in this play.

Both families in Romeo and Juliet despised each other. However, their families cared for them with all their heart. Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin fought Romeo and told him, “Romeo, the love I bear thee can afford no better term than this: thou art a villain” (3.1.57-58). Tybalt showed loyalty to his family by telling Romeo that even though now related, he remains a villainous Montague. This love toward the Capulets cost Mercutio his life, and even Tybalt’s too.

Romeo, when exiled to Mantua, caused his family great grief. Lord Montague announced, “Alas my liege, my wife is dead tonight! Grief of my son’s exile hath stopped her breath” (5.3.209-210). Lady Montague’s love for her son Romeo caused her enough grief that stopped her heart. Throughout the play, the families fought because of love for their heritage and traditions. If they didn’t love their family as much, they wouldn’t have risked their lives by fighting the opposing family. The loyalty and love to their last name meant a lot to the Montagues and Capulets.

Despite the tragedy that love kills in Romeo and Juliet, it also killed a hardship that remained for years. “From forth the fatal loins of these two foes, a pair of star-crossed lovers take their life, whose misadventured piteous overthrows Doth wit-h their death bury their parents’ strife” (prologue.5-8). The death of Romeo and Juliet killed the feud between their families. They showed love and loyalty to their families, friends, and romances until the end. Shakespeare wanted the readers to see that all ups have a down. Therefore, the overall theme of love in the story caused the dire of many deaths; including Romeo, Juliet, Paris, Mercutio, Tybalt, and Lady Montague.