ROMEO AND JULIET’S RELATIONSHIP
The tragedy of the love between Romeo and Juliet is the manner in which they “rushed” into marriage. If they were to take their time, things would have worked out for the best. Romeo and Juliet’s love was forbidden, as the houses they came from are enemies, however, this does not stop the couple from falling in love, and getting married within 24 hours. This caused Romeo and Juliet to become love-struck, and irrational, and they both took their own lives at the idea of being together again. If Romeo and Juliet had been patient, they would have been able to build a lasting relationship, and obtain the support of their families.
A Rushed Relationship
If Romeo and Juliet had been patient in their relationship, they could have further explored their feelings, to see if they really shared true love. Friar Lawrence first shows concern for Romeo when Romeo says “Oh, let us hence. I stand on sudden haste” and he warns him “Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast” (II.ii.93)1 ; the Friar is worried about Romeo’s pace emotionally, with Juliet. She had a similar point of view, and expressed her feelings about their escalating relationship, “This bud of love, by summer’s ripening breath, may prove a beauteous flower when next we meet” (II.ii.121-122)2 . Juliet believes that with time, their relationship will flourish, like a blooming flower in summertime. Juliet also explains that she does not like the inconsistency in their relationship, when Romeo then declared his love for her, he swears by the moon, Juliet, however, does not like it’s rapidly shifting patterns. “O, swear not by the moon, th’ in constant moon, that monthly changes in her circle orb, lest that thy love prove likewise variable” (II.ii.109-111)3. She wants to bond with Romeo at a steady pace. Patience between Romeo and Juliet may have positively affected their relationship, due to the fact that in time, they could have been given the chance to truly validate each other’s feelings.
Mending the Rift between the Families
Romeo and Juliet’s families would have seen that their feud could have been resolved for the sake of their children and their happiness. Romeo marring Juliet meant that he would have to make peace with his enemies, or rather Juliet’s relatives, so he decided to start with Tybalt, and tells him “I do protest I never injured 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” (III.i.64-68)4. There would be no use in fighting Tybalt, by reason of it would only result in a penalty provided by the Prince, and it would create more tension between the two families, which would not work in Romeo and Juliet’s favour, due to the fact that their goal is to repair the relationship between their families. Friar Lawrence decides to help Romeo and Juliet wed, in hopes of later exposing their undying love for one another, creating unity between the Capulets and Montagues. “For this alliance may so happy prove to turn your household’s rancor to pure love” (II.iii.90-93)5. Following Romeo’s banishment the Friar devises a plan to help Romeo and Juliet introduce the idea of them as a couple to
