Discussion Topic
Exploration of Friendship as a Form of Love in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet
Summary:
In Romeo and Juliet, friendship is depicted as a profound and essential form of love. Characters like Mercutio and Benvolio show loyalty and support to Romeo, highlighting the importance of camaraderie. Their bonds provide emotional support and guidance, demonstrating that friendship, like romantic love, is a crucial and cherished aspect of human relationships in the play.
What quotes about friendship love are in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet?
While there are no specific quotes about friendship love in the play, there are references to the friendships shared by Romeo and other characters. For instance, when the play opens, Romeo is pining away for Rosaline. Montague, Romeo's father, worries about his son and discusses his situation with Benvolio. Benvolio asks Montague whether he has asked Romeo to tell him what is bothering him. Montague replies that not only has he asked Romeo but “many other friends” have, as well. This underscores the strong feelings that Romeo’s friends have for him; they are upset that he seems to be so sad and brooding and want to help their friend in whatever way they can.
In fact, Benvolio himself asks Romeo what it is that is troubling him. Romeo explains that it is unrequited love that makes him sad. Benvolio does his best to get Romeo in a better humor,...
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telling him to
be ruled by me. Forget to think of her.
For this reason, Benvolio implores Romeo to join his friends at the Capulet’s party because he feels that being out at a festive social event with friends will cheer him up. Thus, the actions of Benvolio and many of the characters speak volumes about how intense their feelings of love and affection are for Romeo.
Romeo’s friends also show their sincere loyalty to him when they fight with him against Tybalt. Unfortunately, after Tybalt kills Mercutio, Romeo shows his loyalty and love for Mercutio by taking vengeance against Tybalt and killing him.
Various friendships are implied throughout Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Benvolio and Mercutio are friends with Romeo. The Nurse is Juliet's closest friend and confidant and she is also close to Tybalt. Lord Capulet refers to Paris as his friend when he is insisting that Juliet marry the Count. Friar Lawrence could also be considered friends with Romeo and Juliet.
In Act I, Scene 1, Benvolio, who is also Romeo's cousin, offers friendly advice about women. Romeo is depressed because Rosaline doesn't love him, so Benvolio tells him to look at other women when they go to Capulet's party. He says,
At this same ancient feast of Capulet’s
Sups the fair Rosaline whom thou so loves,
With all the admirèd beauties of Verona.
Go thither, and with unattainted eye
Compare her face with some that I shall show,
And I will make thee think thy swan a crow.
You are a lover. Borrow Cupid’s wings
And soar with them above a common bound.
Likewise Juliet shows how close she is to the Nurse when she is anxious to find out Romeo's news in Act II, Scene 5,Thou wast the prettiest babe that e’er I nursed.
Of course, the Nurse figuratively abandons Juliet later after Romeo has been banished and Juliet's father arranges the marriage with Paris. Juliet will not listen to the Nurse's advice to go through with the marriage to the Count. The Nurse also refers to her relationship with Tybalt, Juliet's cousin. Apparently, though it is never portrayed in the play, the Nurse and Tybalt were quite close because when Tybalt turns up dead, the Nurse says,I’ faith, I am sorry that thou art not well.
Sweet, sweet, sweet nurse, tell me, what says my
love?
At the end of Act III Lord Capulet calls Paris his friend in the middle of his temper tantrum while trying to convince Juliet that she should marry Paris. He says,O Tybalt, Tybalt, the best friend I had!
O courteous Tybalt, honest gentleman,
That ever I should live to see thee dead!
The most obvious friendship in the story could be Romeo and Juliet, yet it seems as though they are simply lovers. They haven't known each other long enough to become close like friends. Their love is mercurial and short lived. Friendships are usually based on mutual interests and the passage of time. Loyalty, however, is a trait of friendship and Juliet is completely loyal to Romeo, so much so that she agrees to take the potion to fake her death. When the the Friar presents her with the vial, she says, in Act IV, Scene 1,Thursday is near. Lay hand on heart; advise.
An you be mine, I’ll give you to my friend.
Give me, give me! O, tell not me of fear!
How does Shakespeare portray friendship as a form of love in Romeo and Juliet?
One way Shakespeare illustrates this is through the quality of loving friendship we see in Benvolio. He cares deeply for his group of friends, and he only wants to see good things happen to them. He also desperately tries to be a good influence on them, especially as concerns the Capulets and the need to keep the public peace between the two families. He begs them to retire to some private place to air their grievances, but they will not. Benvolio grievously mourns the loss of his friend, Mercutio, saying, "O Romeo, Romeo, brave Mercutio is dead! / That gallant spirit hath aspired the clouds, / Which too untimely here did scorn the earth." Despite Mercutio's rash behavior and terrible judgment, Benvolio is a true and loving friend to him. He remembers only Mercutio's good qualities.
Similarly, when Romeo, out of his deep love for his friend, Mercutio, slays Tybalt, Benvolio tries to look out for his best interest as well, saying, "Romeo, away, be gone! / The citizens are up, and Tybalt slain. / Stand not amazed. The Prince will doom thee death / If thou art taken. Hence, be gone, away!" Again, Romeo has behaved passionately, though not intelligently; Benvolio, his voice of reason, tries to take care of him. He is obviously really concerned about his friend, and when Romeo stands there in amazement, he implores Romeo to go, quickly, to save himself from being executed as punishment.