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Boundaries Of Love In Romeo And Juliet

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In Romeo and juliet a theme is their love has to overcome many boundaries, but in the end death conquers all. In act one scene five, lines 91-110 Romeo and Juliet meet for the first time. In this scene love has to conquer the boundary of holy vs. profane, as said by Romeo, “If I profane thee with my unworthiest hand… My lips two blushing pilgrims ready stand to smooth that rough touch with a gentle kiss. (91-95, Shakespeare)”. Romeo describes his touch as as unworthy and profaning to Juliet’s saintlike hand. He then goes on to say his lips are two blushing pilgrims, or wanderers awaiting to kiss Juliet’s. Juliet further ameliorates him by saying, “...for saints have hands that pilgrims’ hands do touch And palm to Palm is holy palmers’ kiss. (98-100, Shakespeare)”. Juliet makes excuse of Romeo touching her hand by agreeing that his touch is profaning, but if he be a pilgrim and she a saint it is …show more content…

Shakespeare uses physical and psychological imagery, such as the strain the lovers feel by disobeying their family names, to develop his theme. Now love must surpass the psychological boundary of family lineage as Juliet calls, “O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name! Or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, and I shall no longer be a Capulet. (75-78, Shakespeare)”. The lovers are aware that their family names are a boundary that keeps them apart, but have the desire to be together so they claim to ignore it. Shakespeare writes Juliet as calling out in desperation as she vows to disobey her family name, and the image of the balcony to show that her and Romeo are kept physically apart by a psychological boundary. Romeo agrees to deny his family lineage for Juliet, “...Henceforth I never will be Romeo. (85-86, Shakespeare)”. The Lovers agree to deny the psychological boundary of their names and allow love to conquer

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