Through the different degrees of affection in Romeo and Juliet, we recognise Romeo and Juliet’s love to be powerful, complex and dangerous. Their love was so dynamic; it resulted in breaking the ancient bindings of enmity between the Capulets and the Montagues. We also see the complication of love, through Romeo, as his feeling of “undying” worship for Rosaline is as good as it never existed when his childish eyes set sight on Juliet’s innocent beauty. Apart from the strength and the intricacy of love, we also see it being portrayed as hazardous and risky, through Romeo and Juliet, as they decide to take their lives instead of living without the other.
The love shared between Romeo and Juliet is so strong that it breaks the “ancient grudge” of both the families holding the same sort of status in society. The Capulets and Montagues were the epitome of hatred but following their children’s deaths, they realise that their hatred was the guilty murderer of Romeo and Juliet, as pointed out by the Prince and Capulet: “Where be these enemies? Capulet? Montague? See what a scourge is laid upon your hate,/ That heaven finds means to kill your joys with love!” (V.iii.291-293) [stated by the Prince]
“Poor Sacrifices of our enmity!” (V.iii.304) [stated by Capulet]
Capulet and Montague also recognise the intense love between Romeo and Juliet through their death, which melts away their detestation resulting in them accepting their relation through Romeo and Juliet’s marriage. This is expressed by Capulet: “O brother Montague, give me thy hand. This is my daughter’s jointure, for no more can I demand.” (V.iii.296-298)
The power of Romeo and Juliet’s love was the only reason for the ending of the feeling of abhorrence between the Capulets and Montagues, or else the loath between the two houses would have continued on for generations to come.
The complication of love in Romeo and Juliet is seen through Romeo, as his unpredictable feelings of infatuation...