Passionate Language in Romeo and Juliet Julia Kelly

Romeo and Juliet is rife with the powerful contrasting passions of Love and Hate. Since this work is a drama, Shakespeare has chosen to convey these emotions through characters’ language. This essay will examine how dialogue is used to demonstrate their passions.

Hate is almost solely embodied by Tybalt, cousin to the Capulets and therefore an enemy of the house of Montague. This young man is described by his fellow characters as being “furious” (III i.121), “fiery” (I.i.109) and possessing of an “unruly spleen” (III.i.157) which, in Shakespeare’s day, accounted for his choleric character and quick temper. When he first enters the scene, he immediately tries to quarrel with Benevolio, for the sole reason that he is a kinsman of Romeo. When Benevolio says that he only wants to keep the peace, Tybalt passionately replies: “I hate the word as I hate hell, all Montagues and thee. Have at thee, coward!” (I.i.69-71). Tybalts hatred is so intense that he desires to kill anyone who has any association with Romeo, including the peace-loving Benevolio. Moreover, he is blinded by passion, for the fact that he claims to hate hell and yet lusts for Montague blood is a contradiction in terms, for according to Christian belief, murders will...