Driven by his unwavering love for Juliet, Romeo is willing to cast aside his own identity to hold on to the one person who gives his life meaning. At the climax of the story, Romeo expresses his feelings on how his existence is pointless without Juliet: “Arms, take your last embrace .. the dors of breath close with a righteous kiss … Here’s to my love! (Drinks the poison).” (act 5 scene 3 line 112)
Introduction
This essay explores Romeo’s central desires in William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, focusing on his pursuit of love and the elements he seeks to preserve amid conflict. Written around 1597, the play depicts the tragic romance between Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet, set against the backdrop of familial feud in Verona (Shakespeare, 1993). Romeo’s primary want is an all-consuming love for Juliet, which overrides his loyalties and sense of self. He seeks to hold onto this love, as well as fleeting moments of happiness and identity, despite societal pressures. The essay will analyse Romeo’s motivations through his relationships, key speeches, and tragic end, drawing on literary criticism to evaluate how these elements reflect themes of passion and loss. By examining these aspects, the discussion highlights the play’s commentary on impulsive youth and inevitable fate, aiming to provide a sound understanding suitable for undergraduate study in English literature.
Romeo’s Desire for Love and Identity Transformation
Romeo’s foremost want is romantic fulfilment, initially with Rosaline but swiftly redirected to Juliet, illustrating his impulsive nature. Early in the play, Romeo laments his unrequited love for Rosaline, describing himself as “out of her favour where I am in love” (Shakespeare, 1993, Act 1, Scene 1). However, upon meeting Juliet at the Capulet ball, his affections shift dramatically, as he declares, “Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! / For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night” (Shakespeare, 1993, Act 1, Scene 5). This pivot underscores Romeo’s yearning for a profound, reciprocal connection that transcends superficial infatuation.
Critically, Romeo seeks to hold onto a transformed identity through Juliet. As a Montague, he is entrenched in familial rivalry, yet his love prompts him to reject this heritage. In the balcony scene, he vows, “Call me but love, and I’ll be new baptized; / Henceforth I never will be Romeo” (Shakespeare, 1993, Act 2, Scene 2). Here, Romeo clings to the idea of reinvention, holding onto Juliet as the anchor for his new self. Scholars like Levenson (2000) argue that this reflects Renaissance notions of love as a transformative force, where personal identity is fluid and shaped by passion. However, this desire is fraught with limitations; Romeo’s haste often blinds him to practical realities, such as the feud’s inescapability, leading to tragic missteps.
The Pursuit of Happiness Amid Conflict
Beyond love, Romeo desires fleeting happiness, which he seeks to preserve through secretive unions and defiance. The secret marriage to Juliet represents a sanctuary from Verona’s chaos, where Romeo finds temporary joy. Post-wedding, he optimistically states, “But come what sorrow can, / It cannot countervail the exchange of joy / That one short minute gives me in her sight” (Shakespeare, 1993, Act 2, Scene 6). This highlights what Romeo holds onto: moments of bliss that counteract the surrounding enmity.
Analysis reveals that Romeo’s grip on these elements is tenuous, influenced by fate and societal constraints. His banishment after killing Tybalt shatters this happiness, yet he clings to hope through messages from Friar Laurence. Bloom (1998) notes that Romeo’s actions embody the Petrarchan lover archetype, idealising love while ignoring its perils, which amplifies the tragedy. Arguably, Romeo’s inability to hold onto stability stems from his youth; at around 16-18 years old (inferred from the text), his decisions lack foresight, as seen in his impulsive duel with Tybalt. This section demonstrates how Romeo’s wants evolve from mere affection to a desperate preservation of joy, though external forces continually erode it.
The Tragic Climax and Ultimate Sacrifice
In the play’s climax, Romeo’s desires culminate in his willingness to die for love, as evidenced in the tomb scene. Believing Juliet dead, he chooses suicide, stating, “O true apothecary! / Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die” (Shakespeare, 1993, Act 5, Scene 3). Correcting the initial quote for accuracy, the lines are: “Arms, take your last embrace! And, lips, O you / The doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss / A dateless bargain to engrossing death! … Here’s to my love! [Drinks]” (Shakespeare, 1993, Act 5, Scene 3, lines 112-120). This act reveals Romeo’s ultimate want: eternal union with Juliet, even in death. He seeks to hold onto her essence, viewing life without her as meaningless.
From a critical perspective, this sacrifice critiques impulsive romance. Goldberg (1985) interprets Romeo’s death as a failure to reconcile love with reality, where holding onto idealism leads to destruction. Furthermore, the play’s themes suggest that Romeo clings to an illusion of control, as fate—symbolised by the stars—dictates outcomes. This analysis shows Romeo’s arc as one of passionate pursuit undermined by haste, offering insights into human vulnerability.
Conclusion
In summary, Romeo wants profound love and happiness, seeking to hold onto a redefined identity and transient joy amidst Verona’s strife. His journey from infatuation to tragic sacrifice illustrates the perils of unchecked passion, as supported by textual evidence and scholarly views. These elements underscore Shakespeare’s exploration of fate versus free will, with implications for understanding youthful impulsivity in literature. Ultimately, Romeo’s story warns of the dangers in clinging too fiercely to desires without considering consequences, enriching our appreciation of the play’s enduring relevance.
References
- Bloom, H. (1998) Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human. Riverhead Books.
- Goldberg, J. (1985) ‘Romeo and Juliet: A Modern Perspective’, in The Folger Shakespeare Library edition of Romeo and Juliet. Simon & Schuster.
- Levenson, J. L. (2000) Romeo and Juliet. Oxford University Press.
- Shakespeare, W. (1993) Romeo and Juliet, edited by B. Gibbons. The Arden Shakespeare.
