Nicole Lewkowski

1/10/19
3 Period

William Shakespeare, the author of the play, Romeo & Juliet, tells a tragic love story of

two teens named Romeo and Juliet. The teens love each other but their families are enemies

which prevents them from being together. In the end, the two lovers feel the only way yo be

together is in death. Throughout the play, Shakespeare expresses his belief that love causes

violence through character interaction, major events, and character’s action.

To begin with Shakespeare shows love causes violence through character interaction.

“Romeo, the love I bear thee can afford no better term than this:thou art a villain.

Tybalt,the reason that I have to love thee to such a greeting.Villain am I none. Therefore

farewell.I see thou knowest me not.

Boy,this shall not excuse the injured thee that thou hast done me.Therefore turn and draw.

I do protest I never injured thee but love thee better than thou canst devise till thou shalt know

the reason of my love.And so,good Capulet,which name I tender as dearly as mine own,be

satisfied.

O calm,dishonorable,vile submission!...

O Romeo, Romeo, brave Mercutio is dead.”(Line 61-121 Act 3.SC.1). This shows when Romeo

tells Tybalt that he loves him as family but Tybalt wanted to fight Romeo because Tybalt didn’t

like Romeo, and Tybalt later kills Mercutio when Mercutio got later involved. Second example is

that love causes with character interaction is when “I do defy thy [commination] and apprehend

thee for a felon here...If thou be merciful, open the tomb; lay me with Juliet.”(Line 68-73 ACT

5.SC.3). Unlike, the first quote Romeo is fighting Paris because, Romeo hates Paris for what he
believes that drove Juliet killing herself. In short, Shakespeare show love causes violence

through character interaction by making one of the character ending up died.

In addition Shakespeare believes love causes violence is through major events. “Come,

bitter conduct, come, unsavory guide! Thou desperate pilot, now at once run on the desperate

pilot, now at once run on the dashing rocks thy seasick weary bark! Here’s to my love.

[​Drinking.]​ O true apothecary, thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die.” (Lines 116-120 ACT

5. SC.3) . This shows that Romeo killed himself believing Juliet is died because, he cannot go on

without her love. Another example that love causes violence through major events. Yea, noise?

Then I’ll be brief. O, happy dagger, this is thy sheath. There rust, and let me die.”(Lines 174-175

ACT 5. SC.3). Similar like the first quote, Juliet killed herself when she found out Romeo is

died, she killed herself because, she couldn’t live with fact that Romeo died, and the plan didn’t

work. Overall, through major events the two lovers killed themself because, they couldn’t live

without one another.

The last reason that Shakespeare believes love causes violence through character action

and major events. Here comes the furious Tybalt back again.

Alive in triumph, and Mercutio slain! Away to heaven, respective lenity, and fire-eyed fury be

my conduct now...

Shalt with him hence.

This shall determine that.” (Lines 126-137 ACT 3.SC.1) . This shows that Romeo action of

killing Tybalt is through the love and friendship Romeo had with Mercutio. A example that love

causes violence through major event is “God’s bread, it makes me mad…Trust to ‘t; bethink you.

I’ll not be forsworn” (Lines 187-207 ACT 3.SC.5). This shows Juliet’s father will kick Juliet out
of the if she doesn’t agree to marry Paris. In short love causes violence through character's action

and major events, when Romeo kills Tybalt and Juliet’s father threatening Juliet.

Shakespeare thoughts and belief that love causes violence through character’s interaction,

major events, and character’s action. The character’s interaction shows that the conversation will

turn aggressive and someone will get hurt. Major events shows that will make someone hurt

themselves and getting into arguments. Character’s action shows that someone’s action will lead

to someone getting hurt. The reader learns about their own development through Romeo and

Juliet’s action/interaction is do not fall in love to quickly or someone might get hurt because of

it.