‘What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness?’ (John Steinbeck). John Steinbeck talks about how for a summer to be something special you need a winter to give summer its character. Oppositions give stories more emotion and character like winter gives summer its special quality that differs from winter. Just like Shakespeare uses Love and Hate and Life and Death opposites in “Romeo and Juliet” to give the story more character and emotion.
Love and Hate in “Romeo and Juliet”
One of Shakespeare’s most common dualities is Love and Hate. He uses love and hate throughout many of his plays to show how powerful love can be and how it can overcome anything, even the power of hate. At the beginning of the play, when Romeo meets Juliet, he falls in love with her, but she is part of the Capulet family, who is his family’s greatest enemy. “My only love sprung from my only hate!” (Act 1, Scene 5, 152). This quote shows that Romeo’s new love has grown from his hate for Juliet’s family. Juliet and Romeo know that their love cannot be, but Shakespeare shows that love can overcome anything. For example, soon after the first quote, Romeo says, “With love’s light wings did I o’erperch these walls, For stony limits cannot hold love out, And what love can do, that dares love attempt. Therefore thy kinsmen are no stop to me.” (Act 2, Scene 2, 71-75). When Shakespeare wrote this, he shows that love can overcome anything, including Romeo’s fear of death from the Capulets and his hate for the Capulets. Shakespeare uses the Love/Hate duality throughout “Romeo and Juliet” to show that love is more powerful than anything, so powerful that it can end a decades-long hateful war between the Montague and the Capulets.
The Duality of Life and Death
Another major duality Shakespeare uses in “Romeo and Juliet” is Life and Death. Shakespeare uses life and death to show despair and hope. “Tybalt’s death was woe enough if it had ended there” (Act 3, Scene 2, 125-126). Here Shakespeare shows distress in Juliet when she is torn after Romeo kills Tybalt and is banished. Juliet knows that the only other way the situation could have gone was the death of Romeo, her love. “Nurse: I saw the wound. I saw it with mine eyes (God save the mark!) here on his manly breast. Juliet: O break, my heart, poor bankrupt, break at once!” Here Juliet shows despair when she hears from her nurse that Tybalt has died, but she thinks that Romeo has died. When Romeo flees from his punishment, he hides at Friar Laurence’s house. While he is there, he gets a visit from Juliet’s nurse. “How well my comfort is revived by this!” (Act 3, Scene 3, 175). Romeo has hope when Juliet’s nurse brings him a ring from Juliet. Hope and death are major parts of “Romeo and Juliet,” and Shakespeare uses them to make this story so popular.
Academic Theories and Shakespeare’s Use of Duality
Shakespeare’s use of duality can be examined through various academic lenses. Structuralism is one such approach that can be applied to understand the binary oppositions in his works. Structuralist theorists, such as Claude Lévi-Strauss, argue that human culture is understood through structures, particularly binary oppositions. In “Romeo and Juliet,” the binaries of love/hate and life/death are essential structures that create meaning and emotion in the narrative.
Furthermore, Psychoanalytic Theory, particularly the ideas of Sigmund Freud and Jacques Lacan, can offer insights into the psychological dimensions of these dualities. Freud’s concept of the ‘death drive’ (Thanatos) versus the ‘life drive’ (Eros) parallels the tension between life and death in the play. The intense emotions and ultimate tragic fate of the characters can be seen as a manifestation of these conflicting drives.
Historical Context and Societal Implications
Examining the historical context of Elizabethan England also provides depth to the understanding of these dualities. The rigid societal structures and family feuds, as depicted in “Romeo and Juliet,” reflect the realities of Shakespeare’s time. The conflict between the Montagues and Capulets mirrors the political and social conflicts of the era, where family loyalty and honor were paramount, often leading to violent outcomes.
Feminist Theory can also be applied to analyze the roles of Juliet and other female characters in the play. Juliet’s struggle between love and familial duty highlights the limited agency of women in a patriarchal society. Her defiance and tragic end underscore the constraints placed on women and the dire consequences of challenging societal norms.
Existentialism and the Human Condition
Shakespeare’s exploration of life and death also resonates with Existentialist philosophy, particularly the ideas of Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus. The existential struggle of the characters, their confrontation with mortality, and the search for meaning in their brief and tumultuous lives reflect existential themes. The famous lines of Juliet, “Give me my Romeo; and, when he shall die, Take him and cut him out in little stars,” (Act 3, Scene 2, 21-22) illustrate the existential quest for meaning and the desire to transcend the ephemeral nature of life through love.
Conclusion
Shakespeare uses oppositions to bring more emotion to his plays and stories. The snow and winter are nothing special without the warmth and sun of summer. Shakespeare has used love and hate and life and death to bring life to “Romeo and Juliet.” Without dualities, Shakespeare’s work wouldn’t be what it is today. The interplay of these dualities creates a rich tapestry of meaning, emotion, and philosophical depth that continues to resonate with audiences. By examining these oppositions through various academic theories, we gain a deeper understanding of the complexities and enduring appeal of “Romeo and Juliet.”