Josh Borow                                                                                                       May 14, 2002
Critical Lens Essay                                                                                         Ms. Gokturk

Stated by the Pali Canon "For hatred does not cease by hatred at any time: hatred ceases by love- this is the eternal law."  They mean that the dislike of a person cannot be stopped by simply discontinuing resentment for that person.  Anger can only be stopped by the opposite emotion, which is love.  Love prevails over all.  In Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet's love for each other was able to overcome their family's history of hatred towards each other.

When Romeo and Juliet first meet they fall in love at first sight.  Unfortunately the two lovebirds are part of two families that hate each other.  This feud of the families causes tension between the lovers.  Romeo says after he has realized whom Juliet really is, “Is she a Capulet? O dear account!  My life is my foe's debt (Act I, scene 5, line 117-118).”  This shows how sorrowful Romeo feels once he realizes to what family Juliet belongs.  Juliet shares the same feelings as she states, “My only love sprung from my only hate!  Too early seen unknown, and known too late! Prodigious birth of love it is to me, that I must love a loathed enemy (Act I, Scene 5, 137-140).”  Romeo and Juliet are very confused, because they know they love each other but are not sure if they are able to love each other due to the fight between their families.  Juliet pronounces, “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'll no longer be Capulet. …’Tis but thy name that is my enemy; thou art thyself, though not a Montague.  What’s Montague?  It is nor hand nor foot nor arm nor face nor any other part belonging to a man (Act 2, scene 2, line 33-42).”  When Juliet states this she shows her true feelings for how she feels about Romeo, which is love, and how a name should not be able to separate true love.  Romeo and Juliet first discover that their families have a great feud, their love for each other brings them together despite their names. 

Love is such a strong emotion that it prevents Romeo from fighting.  Tybalt challenges Romeo to fight because Romeo has married Juliet and Tybalt will not allow that.  However, Romeo is a lover and refuses to fight.  Romeo states, “Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee doth much excuse the appertaining rage to such a greeting.  Villain am I none.  Therefore farewell; I see thou know’st me not. …I do protest I never injur’d thee, but love thee better than thou canst devise, till thou shalt know the reason of my love and so, good Capulet, which name I tender as dearly as my own, be satisfied (Act 3, scene 1, line 61-71).”  By this Romeo is saying to Tybalt that he is sorry for marrying Juliet but he loves her deeply, and he will not fight Tybalt.  Romeo feels that although Tybalt does not agree on the marriage and Romeo is sorry for this, Romeo cannot stop from marrying Juliet because he loves Juliet with all his heart.  Therefore, because he loves Juliet and Tybalt is Juliet’s cousin, Romeo will not fight Tybalt for it might cause Juliet to be unhappy.  This is another example of how love prevails over all things because it shows how Romeo refuses to fight Tybalt because he loves Juliet. 

            The love between Romeo and Juliet was so strong it taught families to love even after they died. “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; and I, for winking at your discords too, have lost a brace of kinsmen.  All are punished (Act 5, scene 3, line 290-294).”  The prince is saying that the reason Romeo and Juliet were dead was because of the hatred between the two families over many years.  He also said that the two families were being punished for their own actions for only now they could stop hating each other; after they’re loved ones had died.   “O brother Montague give me thy hand: this is my daughter’s jointure, for no more can I demand… As rich shall Romeo’s by his lady’s lie; poor sacrifices of our enmity!”  “…Juliet was such a true and faithful women (Act 5, scene 3 lines 295-309).”  This was a dialogue between father Capulet and father Montague where they realized what resulted from their actions.  They both compliment each other’s child to show how sorry they are.  Ultimately they end up grieving together and bringing an end to the interminable feud between their families.

            Romeo and Juliet’s love for each other and their tragic deaths finally ceased the hatred between the Montague and Capulet families.  The love the families they shared for their children made them realize how foolishly they have been acting, and what was truly most important in life, which is love.  Romeo and Juliet’s declaration of their undying love for each other, Romeo’s refusal to fight Tybalt, and the parents of the families coming to the realization that their actions had caused the deaths of their beloved children all displayed how hatred would continue but was stopped by love.