Romeo and Juliet: Was It Love or Lust?
Lust
For centuries, the greatest tragedy of the Victorian era, and perhaps the greatest ever written in the English language, has shown the world the raw power which “young love” can exhibit. But was it truly this “love” which provoked such intense and emotional whims? Or was it “young lust” which became rooted in the two teenagers? Key clues from the sacred text of the Bard himself can give insight to the true nature of the dynamics between the star-crossed lovers. The first example comes from Act I, Scene I, lines 205-6. It so follows:
“She’ll not be hit with cupid’s arrow; she hath Dian’s wit”
The audience is first introduced to Romeo whilst he is in a state of depression over the abrupt end of his relationship with his fling, Rosaline. She ended the couple’s relationship because she was too clever to fall for Romeo’s games. She is wise enough to see how Romeo only has a lust for her and shows no real interest in her personality or who she truly is as a person.
This is a picture of a chastity ring. The quote “She’ll not be hit with Cupid’s arrow; she hath Dian’s wit.” said by Romeo, relates to this picture. In saying “she hath Dian’s wit”, Romeo speaks of Dian who is the goddess of chastity. Romeo also said “She’ll not be hit with Cupid’s arrow.” This suggests that Rosaline has taken a vow of chastity which annoys Romeo. A vow of chastity is usually done by a priest and the woman is given a chastity ring. A chastity ring represents a promise, vow, commitment or goal to abstain from sexual intercourse until marriage. Dian’s wit was the reason Cupid’s arrow missed. Once again seduction as lust is just a desire for sex without a meaningful relationship. If Romeo truly loved Rosaline, she would not have had to present her chastity ring. Romeo apparently knows not the difference between lust and love; therefore he does not know how to express how he really feels.
"Alike bewitched by the charm of looks"
This quote about Romeo and Juliet illustrates how
For centuries, the greatest tragedy of the Victorian era, and perhaps the greatest ever written in the English language, has shown the world the raw power which “young love” can exhibit. But was it truly this “love” which provoked such intense and emotional whims? Or was it “young lust” which became rooted in the two teenagers? Key clues from the sacred text of the Bard himself can give insight to the true nature of the dynamics between the star-crossed lovers. The first example comes from Act I, Scene I, lines 205-6. It so follows:
“She’ll not be hit with cupid’s arrow; she hath Dian’s wit”
The audience is first introduced to Romeo whilst he is in a state of depression over the abrupt end of his relationship with his fling, Rosaline. She ended the couple’s relationship because she was too clever to fall for Romeo’s games. She is wise enough to see how Romeo only has a lust for her and shows no real interest in her personality or who she truly is as a person.
This is a picture of a chastity ring. The quote “She’ll not be hit with Cupid’s arrow; she hath Dian’s wit.” said by Romeo, relates to this picture. In saying “she hath Dian’s wit”, Romeo speaks of Dian who is the goddess of chastity. Romeo also said “She’ll not be hit with Cupid’s arrow.” This suggests that Rosaline has taken a vow of chastity which annoys Romeo. A vow of chastity is usually done by a priest and the woman is given a chastity ring. A chastity ring represents a promise, vow, commitment or goal to abstain from sexual intercourse until marriage. Dian’s wit was the reason Cupid’s arrow missed. Once again seduction as lust is just a desire for sex without a meaningful relationship. If Romeo truly loved Rosaline, she would not have had to present her chastity ring. Romeo apparently knows not the difference between lust and love; therefore he does not know how to express how he really feels.
"Alike bewitched by the charm of looks"
This quote about Romeo and Juliet illustrates how