Theme Quote
Love “My only love sprung from my only hate” - Juliet
Themes of the duality of love/hate
The juxtaposition here shows how intertwined both love and hate are and foreshadows how, in the future, how the tragic
events to occur are a result of the intertwining between love and hatred.
“It is the East, and Juliet is the sun” - Romeo
Romeo frequently uses light imagery to show his love for Juliet, as he sees her as something pure and good. Additionally,
the sun rises in the East, so he is comparing Juliet specifically to a rising sun, which could be foreshadowing of how Juliet
brings forth an age of peace for both families.
“Under love’s heavy burden do I sink”
The metaphor of sinking under love’s “heavy burden” shows how Romeo views love as something painful, the use of
“heavy burden” implies that his heartbreak is weighing down on him. This quote also establishes Romeo as sensitive and
prone to depression due to his feelings of love, which subverts the gender expectations of the time.
Conflict “Deny thy father and refuse thy name…and I’ll no longer be a Capulet” - Juliet
Themes of family/conflict
Juliet is pulled between her family and her love for Romeo, and starts to see past the feud as she stops placing
importance on their names and says she would gladly give it up.
“What, draw and talk of peace? I hate that word” - Tybalt
Shows Tybalt's hatred towards the Montagues. Tybalt is portrayed as a symbol of conflict throughout the play, as he is the
source of most of its events. The later usage of “as I hate hell” could also be alluding to how warped Tybalt’s mindset has
become due to the conflict. Religion would have been very important during the Elizabethan time when the story was
written. For Tybalt to be saying he hates peace as much as he hates Hell is a very strong statement to be making,
especially since it is hypocritical to Christian beliefs. Shakespeare may be using Tybalt as an example of how the feud
between the families is senseless.
“A plague on both your houses” - Mercutio
Meructio can see the futile struggle and hatred between the houses and curses them. Foreshadowing for the later
misfortune of both houses’ children.
Honour “It is an honour I dream not of” - Juliet
Themes of honour/patriarchy/feminism
In this, Juliet rejects her purpose in society, showing that, even now, she isn’t the perfect obedient daughter.
“By the stock and honour of my kin / to strike him dead I hold it not as sin” - Tybalt
Shows how Tybalt views conflict as a consequence of honour. There is more religious imagery here. Tybalt says that if he
kills in the name of his honour, it is no longer a “sin”. However, in Christianity, which the readers would assume is the
default religion for Tybalt’s character, one of the 10 commandments is thou shall not murder. Terefroe, Tybalt is once
again disregarding his own faith for the purpose of continuing conflict.
Love “My only love sprung from my only hate” - Juliet
Themes of the duality of love/hate
The juxtaposition here shows how intertwined both love and hate are and foreshadows how, in the future, how the tragic
events to occur are a result of the intertwining between love and hatred.
“It is the East, and Juliet is the sun” - Romeo
Romeo frequently uses light imagery to show his love for Juliet, as he sees her as something pure and good. Additionally,
the sun rises in the East, so he is comparing Juliet specifically to a rising sun, which could be foreshadowing of how Juliet
brings forth an age of peace for both families.
“Under love’s heavy burden do I sink”
The metaphor of sinking under love’s “heavy burden” shows how Romeo views love as something painful, the use of
“heavy burden” implies that his heartbreak is weighing down on him. This quote also establishes Romeo as sensitive and
prone to depression due to his feelings of love, which subverts the gender expectations of the time.
Conflict “Deny thy father and refuse thy name…and I’ll no longer be a Capulet” - Juliet
Themes of family/conflict
Juliet is pulled between her family and her love for Romeo, and starts to see past the feud as she stops placing
importance on their names and says she would gladly give it up.
“What, draw and talk of peace? I hate that word” - Tybalt
Shows Tybalt's hatred towards the Montagues. Tybalt is portrayed as a symbol of conflict throughout the play, as he is the
source of most of its events. The later usage of “as I hate hell” could also be alluding to how warped Tybalt’s mindset has
become due to the conflict. Religion would have been very important during the Elizabethan time when the story was
written. For Tybalt to be saying he hates peace as much as he hates Hell is a very strong statement to be making,
especially since it is hypocritical to Christian beliefs. Shakespeare may be using Tybalt as an example of how the feud
between the families is senseless.
“A plague on both your houses” - Mercutio
Meructio can see the futile struggle and hatred between the houses and curses them. Foreshadowing for the later
misfortune of both houses’ children.
Honour “It is an honour I dream not of” - Juliet
Themes of honour/patriarchy/feminism
In this, Juliet rejects her purpose in society, showing that, even now, she isn’t the perfect obedient daughter.
“By the stock and honour of my kin / to strike him dead I hold it not as sin” - Tybalt
Shows how Tybalt views conflict as a consequence of honour. There is more religious imagery here. Tybalt says that if he
kills in the name of his honour, it is no longer a “sin”. However, in Christianity, which the readers would assume is the
default religion for Tybalt’s character, one of the 10 commandments is thou shall not murder. Terefroe, Tybalt is once
again disregarding his own faith for the purpose of continuing conflict.
