What is love? Many people say that love is a set of emotions and beliefs associated with strong feelings for another person. This emotion runs deep, and as such, is a strong sentiment that individuals are willing to sacrifice themselves all in the name of love. The play Romeo and Juliet, written by William Shakespeare, explores the connection between love and sacrifice. Sacrifices are made when an individual is willing to give things up for the one they love. But how much should one sacrifice? At what cost and to which lengths should one be willing to go? The idea of love initiating sacrifice will be analyzed and shown through the actions of the characters Romeo, Juliet and Friar Lawrence.
When love is so strong some lovers are willing to make sacrifices, some even going as far as death. This is shown when Romeo finds out that Juliet is dead and he takes his own life by drinking a potion that was strong enough to kill five men. “The doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss /……./Here’s to my love! O true apothecary/ Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die” (Shakespeare 5.3.114-120). When Romeo says ‘Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die’ it is clear that he is willing to take his own life for the one he loves. This act is one example of how Romeo’s strong love for Juliet leads to his sacrifice in the play.
Another example of Romeo’s sacrifice for love is when he confronts Paris at the tomb, as he is lovingly laying flowers to honour the fallen Juliet. Paris is confronted by Romeo, and in their struggle, Romeo kills Paris. Just before he dies Paris says, “O, I am slain! If thou be merciful,/ Open the tomb, lay me with Juliet” (Shakespeare 5.3.72-73). When Paris says ‘Open the tomb, lay me with Juliet’ he is begging Romeo to lay his body in the tomb next to Juliet. Despite his own strong love for Juliet, Romeo who is filled with compassion, grants his wish. Romeo sacrifices so much for Juliet that in his love for her he commits murder multiple times, and consequently kills himself because he can no longer bear to be without his love. Thereby continuing to sacrifice through his love for her.
The act of love leading to sacrifice however is not only seen through Romeo’s love for Juliet. In fact, the actions of Juliet’s character also work to reveal that her love for Romeo also initiates sacrifice. Such can be seen when Juliet is willing to drink the potion to fake her death so she can be with Romeo. “Give me, give me! O tell not me of fear /……./Love give me strength, and strength shall help afford/ Farewell, dear father” (Shakespeare 4.2.121-126). When Juliet exclaims ‘Give me, give me! O tell me of fear’ she is telling Friar Lawrence to give her the potion without fear of the consequences. Clearly, in this quote, love brings sacrifice and Romeo as well as Juliet, are willing to make sacrifices for one another.
As Juliet awakens from her death-like sleep she realizes that both Romeo and Paris are dead. Juliet tries drinking the poison from Romeo’s vial, but finding it empty, she tries kissing Romeo for any poison that may be left on his lips. Juliet grabs Romeo’s dagger saying “… O happy dagger,/ This is thy sheath;”(Shakespeare 5. 3. 169-170). Juliet’s love for Romeo is demonstrated in her sacrifice and death, as she fatally stabs herself with Romeo’s dagger. It is evident that if she could not live with Romeo she did not want to live at all.
It isn’t only through the characters of Romeo and Juliet that love and sacrifice are portrayed. Friar Lawrence also sacrifices in the name of the star-crossed lovers. When Romeo is banished from Verona Friar Lawrence thinks of a plan to help Juliet when she was being forced to marry Paris. Friar instructs Juliet to carry out the 5 steps in executing his plan. “… give consent/ To marry Paris. /……./ Let not the nurse lie with thee in thy chamber./ Take thou this vial, being then in bed, /……./ Shall Romeo bear thee hence to Mantua (Shakespeare 4.1.89-117). When Friar Lawrence states ‘Take thou vial’ he is trying to help the lovers find their way back to each other by using a potion to fake Juliet’s death. Friar Lawrence, playing the part of a wise advisor to Romeo and Juliet, is another example of a character within the play that sacrifice in the name of their love.
Furthermore, Friar Lawrence agrees to secretly marry Romeo and Juliet, in hopes that the marriage would be received with joy by the two families, Capulet and Montague “……./ For this alliance may so happy prove / To turn your households and rancour to pure love”(Shakespeare 2.3. 91-92). In this quote when Friar Lawrence says ‘turn your households and rancour to pure love,’ he is hopeful for a positive outcome for the two lovers and their feuding families. However, his desire for peace between the families ironically results in the final tragedy. While this is not his own personal sacrifice, it is at the hands of the families involved.
In conclusion, love is a beautiful thing and with all the great things in life comes some level of sacrifice. The theme of love leading to sacrifice is portrayed throughout William Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet. Love at first sight between the two characters, sacrificing their life to honour their love and the good-natured meddling of the friar all contribute to this theme. The characters certainly sacrifice much in their relationships, risking death on more than one occasion. The examples portrayed in this essay are all actions where the love for another, destined in tragedy, leads to sacrifice.