Comparing Lust In Romeo And Juliet

Love, is an intense feeling of deep affection for someone. Lust, is a passionate or overmastering desire or craving. Many think that these two words mean the same thing because they both include deep feeling. For Romeo and Juliet, however, these two simple words were completely different. These two “star crossed lovers”, as the book called them, were not in love but in lust. Romeo and Juliet's relationship is based on lust because of how long they knew each other, their age, and their forbidden love.

A relationship based on true love takes time to develop. The text states, “Now Romeo is beloved and loves again, Alike bewitched by the charm of looks”(Shakespeare 2.Prologue.5-6). Romeo and Juliet had just met and they were already bewitched by each other (2.Prologue.6). The word bewitched, as used in the play, means to enchant, charm, or fascinate (2.Prologue.6). Romeo and Juliet did not have the time to get to know each other so they were enchanted by looks not personality. This quote also implies that both Romeo and Juliet are charmed by each other, which means that both of them rushed into the relationship. A rushed relationship is one that is not firmly founded. A rushed relationship, like Romeo and Juliet’s, will crumble, but a relationship that has been matured, will stand like the firm foundation of a house.

Act two states, “O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?” (Shakespeare 2.2.33). This statement implies that Juliet wishes that Romeo was not a Montague, but she will “love” him anyway. Love between the Montagues and Capulets was prohibited. For Romeo and Juliet, the forbidden aspect of their “love” made it so much sweeter. Just like many teens today, Romeo and Juliet defied their parents and did what they wanted to. If Romeo and Juliet would have taken responsibility for their actions and told their parents about their relationship, this story might not have ended as tragic as it