what is the theme of Mercutio's speech in romeo and juliet? what does romeo fear and what causes them? thank you
Read about themes and character analyses here:
http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/romeojuliet/
they love each others
In Romeo and Juliet, Mercutio's speech has the theme of love and its ephemeral nature. He delivers the Queen Mab speech in Act I, Scene 4, wherein he describes a fictional character named Queen Mab who is responsible for bringing dreams to people while they sleep.
To determine the theme of Mercutio's speech, you can analyze the language and imagery he uses. He speaks of love as a mere fantasy or illusion, suggesting that it can be easily manipulated and is inconsequential. Mercutio's speech reflects his skepticism about the power of love and his belief that it should not be taken too seriously. Thus, the theme revolves around the transient and whimsical nature of love.
Moving on to what Romeo fears, he is initially driven by a fear of unrequited love. At the beginning of the play, Romeo is deeply infatuated with a girl named Rosaline, who does not return his affections. This unrequited love causes him emotional distress and fuels his desire to find someone who will love him back.
However, later in the play, Romeo's fears change. After meeting Juliet, Romeo fears losing her or being separated from her. As the play progresses, this fear intensifies, leading to impulsive actions and ultimately tragic consequences for both Romeo and Juliet.
To understand what causes Romeo's fears, you need to look at the context of the play. The hostile feud between their families, the Montagues and Capulets, causes Romeo to fear not only rejection but also the potential consequences their love could have on their families. The societal expectations and pressures surrounding their romance increase Romeo's apprehension, as he becomes aware that their love could have dire consequences.
By analyzing the text, the actions of the characters, and the overall context of the play, you can gain a deeper understanding of the theme of Mercutio's speech and the nature of Romeo's fears in Romeo and Juliet.