II. By the end of Romeo and Juliet, Paris and Romeo, both of whom loved Juliet, are dead. The two characters, however, are very different. Write an essay comparing and contrasting the two men. The introduction of your essay should include an attention-getter and thesis statement. The body of your essay should provide examples of similarities and differences regarding their attitudes toward love, traditions, and fidelity, as well as their actions. Close your essay with an overall conclusion, including a restatement of the thesis.
In William Shakespeare's tragic play Romeo and Juliet, two men, Paris and Romeo, are both in love with the same woman, Juliet. By the end of the play, both men meet unfortunate ends. Despite their shared love for Juliet, Paris and Romeo are very different characters. In this essay, we will compare and contrast Paris and Romeo in terms of their attitudes toward love, traditions, and fidelity, as well as their actions.
First and foremost, Paris and Romeo have different attitudes toward love. Paris approaches love in a more traditional and conventional way, as he is following societal expectations by seeking Juliet's hand in marriage with the blessing of her parents. On the other hand, Romeo's love for Juliet is more intense and passionate, as he is willing to defy societal norms and risks everything for their love. Romeo's love is impulsive and reckless, while Paris's love is more practical and conventional.
In terms of traditions, Paris is a traditionalist who respects and follows the customs and expectations of society. He is willing to adhere to the rules and traditions of his time, including arranged marriages and securing the approval of Juliet's family. On the other hand, Romeo is a nonconformist who challenges societal norms and traditions. He defies his family's expectations by falling in love with Juliet, who belongs to the rival Capulet family. Romeo's actions go against the traditions and expectations of his society, leading to tragic consequences.
Regarding fidelity, Paris is portrayed as a faithful and honorable man who is committed to Juliet and their future together. He is willing to wait for Juliet's love and respect her wishes, even if it means delaying their marriage. In contrast, Romeo's fidelity is called into question as he quickly forgets about his previous love, Rosaline, and falls for Juliet almost immediately. Romeo's quick change of affection raises doubts about his loyalty and fidelity to Juliet.
Lastly, their actions throughout the play reveal the stark differences between Paris and Romeo. Paris is depicted as a noble and respectful man who follows the rules and conventions of society. He is willing to fight for Juliet's honor and is ultimately killed in a standoff with Romeo. On the other hand, Romeo's impulsive nature leads to a series of unfortunate events, including the deaths of himself, Juliet, and Paris. Romeo's actions are driven by passion and emotion, often leading to tragic consequences.
In conclusion, Paris and Romeo may both love Juliet, but they are very different characters with contrasting attitudes toward love, traditions, and fidelity, as well as divergent actions. Paris represents tradition and stability, while Romeo embodies passion and impulsiveness. Their contrasting characteristics ultimately lead to their untimely deaths. Despite their differences, both men play crucial roles in the tragic outcome of Romeo and Juliet's love story.