Is it true love or rebellion? Explore how’s Shakespeare and Orwell present forbidden love in Romeo and Juliet and 1984
Introduction
Both 1984 and Romeo and Juliet deal with main characters who claim to be in love. I believe that only in Romeo and Juliet seen to be in love. But in 1984 they don’t seem to be in love because Julia only wants sex. However, Winston met Julia at his work and from the first time he saw her, he hated her. Winston even wanted to kill her once, because he believed she was a spy from the thought police. His anger quickly changed to love when she secretly handed him a note containing the message; “I love you.” Upon receiving this note Winston became obsessed with Julia, constantly trying to find ways to meet her and worrying that she would lose interest in him. After a much careful planning, Winston and Julia were able to meet, yet only talked for less than a minute and in a very business-like manner. Eventually, they found ways to meet a couple of times a week for a few hours each time.
On the met at the other hand, Romeo and Juliet met at a party. Romeo was looking at the fish in an aquarium when he spotted Juliet on the other side. He was stunned by her amazing beauty and could not take his eyes of her. She eventually saw him through the aquarium and was very attracted to him. They both fell in love at first sight and were married soon after.
One similarity both these couples share is that their love is forbidden. Winston was a married man, and even though he does not live with his wife, the party would kill both Winston and Julia if they found out about their love for one other. And even if Winston wasn’t married, love and married is frowned upon by the party, but is allowed in order for there to be children, which are used as spies for the party. Another similarity is that their initial attraction was mostly physical, Romeo is struck with Juliet’s beauty and thinks he is in love with her. Later, they build on that initial...