Romeo and Juliet Random Notes Essay Example

previously done with the Titans; however, this would result in losing the offerings bestowed upon them by humans.

Zeus punished humanity's arrogance by dividing them in half, effectively increasing the number of people who worshipped the gods. However, these divided individuals were filled with immense unhappiness to the point where they would reject food and eventually perish. In order to remedy this, Apollo sewed them back together, reconstructing their bodies while leaving behind only the belly button as proof of their original state. From that moment on, each person would have a single set of reproductive organs and would forever long for their absent half - the other portion of their soul.

Theosophy suggests that when two souls come together, they experience a profound understanding and unity, along with an unspoken connection and harmonious living. This state of being brings immense joy to the individuals involved. According to Theosophy, souls were initially created by God as both male and female. However, some theories propose that these souls became separated into different genders during their time on Earth due to karma or "separation from God." Throughout the process of reincarnation, each half of the soul endeavors to reunite with its counterpart.

Once the karmic debt is fully eliminated, the two individuals will reunite and reach the ultimate state. At present, people frequently refer to a romantic partner as a "soulmate" when they share an enduring and exclusive bond. Nevertheless, this term is not as widely used as other expressions related to a romantic partner. The interpretation of "soulmate" varies for each person since it is linked to the notion of love. In general

terms, it signifies the most powerful romantic connection with another individual.

The term representing the idea is not frequently used, which may contribute to its perceived scarcity in meaning. Its definition varies widely and cannot be precisely determined. It is generally agreed that finding one's soul mate leads to a feeling of completeness, as it is partly believed that two souls are meant to unite. The play Romeo and Juliet explores various types of love. Love is portrayed in different forms such as friendship, family, and romantic relationships.

The initial and renowned depiction of love in Romeo and Juliet is a passionate, sexual, and romantic one. This form of love has no limits and lasts indefinitely. Romeo and Juliet are prepared to give up their lives rather than exist without each other. Intriguingly, their love endures eternally as they never had the chance to uncover each other's imperfections or become weary of each other's attributes. Their affection for one another remains steadfast until their last breaths, leaving no space for their love to diminish.

The play Romeo and Juliet consistently emphasizes the deep love between the two main characters. Throughout the entire play, Romeo refers to Juliet as his source of light in darkness, showing how much he values her. The concept of fate is also significant in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. In the opening prologue, the Chorus reveals that Romeo and Juliet are "Star n cross'd Lovers" (Prologue l. 6), meaning their lives are influenced by fate, often associated with celestial movements.

The text discusses the significant role of fate in Romeo and Juliet. This is evident in various aspects

such as the long-lasting feud between their families, the unfortunate mishaps that ruin Friar Lawrence's plans, and the tragic timing of Romeo's suicide and Juliet's awakening. The play's structure itself is built upon the idea of fate as the two lovers find themselves unable to escape it. The opening scene showcases a brawl between servants from the Montague and Capulet families, emphasizing their deep-rooted animosity. It is during this chance encounter that Romeo and Juliet first meet, unaware of their families' enmity. Romeo initially agrees to attend the Capulet ball hoping to see Rosaline but ends up crossing paths with Juliet instead. In this essay, I will focus on analyzing three key scenes: Act 1 Scene 5, Act 2 Scene 2, and Act 3 Scene 5.

Shakespeare effectively presents the theme of love in Romeo and Juliet through his skillful use of stage-craft, dramatic irony, and linguistic techniques. When the play is performed for a large audience, he cleverly arranges the characters on stage to convey the various aspects of love. As the play unfolds, the audience can observe and comprehend the organization of each scene. Furthermore, Shakespeare employs ingenious language features to portray emotions such as tension, timidity, love, and happiness.

According to BookRags.com, love in Romeo and Juliet is portrayed as a powerful and intense force that goes beyond any other values, loyalties, or emotions. In the play, the two lovers defy their entire social world. In Act II, Scene ii, Lines 37-39, Juliet urges Romeo to reject his father and his name. She proposes that they commit themselves to each other's love instead and she would no longer identify as a Capulet.

Juliet consistently sneaks behind her family's back to meet with someone from the opposing house.

In this article, we will explore the philosophy of love, examining its essence and the ethical and political consequences it entails. When contemplating the notion of love, philosophers are confronted with various inquiries. Certain thinkers regard love as an intangible noun devoid of any concrete or rational association with existence. According to this perspective, love is merely a word. Conversely, others perceive love as having a profound influence on our identities and the surrounding world once encountered. Some philosophers have endeavored to scrutinize love analytically, whereas others argue that it is preferable to preserve it as an indescribable concept.

Despite the different forms it takes, it is undeniable that love plays a significant and unavoidable role in various cultures. Love is a common subject in songs, films, and novels, whether portrayed humorously or seriously. It remains a recurring theme throughout life, shaping the experiences of both adults and young individuals. From a philosophical standpoint, love has been a longstanding topic of discussion since the ancient Greek era. This has led to diverse theories about love's nature, stretching from materialistic views that perceive it solely as a physical phenomenon or instinctual drive, to perspectives that regard love as a deeply spiritual connection enabling us to reach a divine essence.

In the Western tradition, Plato's Symposium has been historically significant for introducing the concept that love undergoes different stages of elevation. It starts with primitive desire and lust, then evolves into a more intellectual comprehension of love. Ultimately, this intellectual understanding is surpassed by a theological perception of love

that exceeds physical attraction and shared emotions. Throughout history, there have been both critics and proponents of this viewpoint.

Platonic love and Aristotle's theory of true love, involving the union of two bodies and one soul, have philosophical implications in various fields. These concepts are relevant to epistemology, metaphysics, religion, human nature, politics, and ethics. The discussion on the nature and significance of love often intersects with important philosophical theories. It is also examined in relation to sex and gender philosophies as well as body and intentionality philosophies.

The philosophy of love focuses on effectively presenting various aspects related to human nature, desire, ethics, and more. The discussion about the nature of love, specifically Eros, Philia, and Agape, serves as the starting point for philosophical exploration. It involves questioning whether love possesses a distinct "nature," a concept that some may challenge by suggesting that love is logically irrational and cannot be explained through rational or meaningful statements.

Love can be viewed as an expression of emotions that defy rational analysis, according to critics who approach it from a metaphysical and epistemological standpoint. However, certain languages like Papuan lack the concept of love altogether, making philosophical examination impossible in those cases. In English, the term "love" has a wide and vague definition derived from Germanic forms of the Sanskrit word lubh, which means desire. This lack of precision makes it challenging to define and understand love; however, referencing Greek words such as eros, philia, and agape helps resolve some of these difficulties. Eros specifically refers to a passionate and intense desire for something often associated with sexual desire; hence the modern term "erotic"

is derived from the Greek word erotikos.

In Plato's writings, eros is considered a shared desire that seeks transcendent beauty. The beauty of an individual serves as a reminder of the true beauty that exists in the world of Forms or Ideas (Phaedrus 249E: "he who loves the beautiful is called a lover because he partakes of it." Trans. Jowett). According to Plato and Socrates, the love we feel for beauty on earth can never be fully satisfied until we die. However, in the meantime, we should aspire to move beyond the temporary stimulation provided by the image in front of us and contemplate beauty in its essence. The Platonic theory of eros suggests that ideal beauty, which is reflected in various images of beauty we encounter, can be shared among different individuals, objects, ideas, and art. To truly love is to love the Platonic form of beauty itself, rather than a specific person, appreciating the true (Ideal) beauty they possess.

According to Plato, reciprocity is not necessary in understanding love because the desire is more focused on the object of Beauty rather than companionship or shared values and pursuits. Those who follow Plato's philosophy believe that love is inherently more valuable than physical desire, which is seen as being common to animals. Consequently, physical desire is perceived as a lower level of reaction and stimulus compared to a love that is based on rational discourse and the exploration of ideas, leading to the pursuit of Ideal beauty.

The love of an object, idea, or person in itself is not a proper form of love. Love reflects the part of the object,

idea, or person that embodies Ideal beauty. On the other hand, philia differs from eros as it involves a fondness and appreciation for others. For the Greeks, philia included friendship as well as loyalty to family, polis (one's political community), job, or discipline. According to Aristotle in the Nicomachean Ethics, Book VIII, philia for another may be motivated by either one's own sake or for the sake of the other.

Different types of motivation in friendships can be attributed to love for another person. This affection can arise from the practical advantages that a friendship offers, like in the case of business contacts. It can also emerge from finding a person's character and values appealing, with the understanding that if these attractive qualities change, the friendship may also change. Lastly, friendships can form purely based on who the other person is, regardless of any personal interests involved. The English notion of friendship closely aligns with Aristotle's concept of philia. According to Aristotle, acts of kindness, particularly when done voluntarily and without seeking recognition, are what nourish and strengthen friendships.

According to Aristotle, genuine friendship is based on objective factors. It involves finding individuals with similar traits, who bear no ill will, pursue the same goals, possess moderation and justice, and appropriately admire us as we admire them. On the other hand, true friendship cannot be formed with argumentative or gossiping individuals who display aggressive behavior or act unjustly. Therefore, it can be concluded that the best individuals are capable of forming the most meaningful friendships and love. In fact, becoming a virtuous individual worthy of genuine friendship is the main focus of the

Nicomachaen Ethics.

In accordance with Aristotle's beliefs, the happiest individual is one who possesses reason and the ability to establish a superior form of companionship. This exceptional bond can only be fostered between two individuals who are both morally upright and virtuous. It is marked by an ideal love shared equally between them. Yet, for those lacking in moral excellence, their love will be of inferior quality. Aristotle terms this diminished affection as "a sort of excess of feeling". Friendships that are less significant may also arise from the enjoyment or benefits obtained from being in another person's presence.

A business friendship operates on the principle of mutual utility, with both parties having similar business interests. However, once the business relationship concludes, the friendship also ends. This mirrors friendships centered around the enjoyment derived from the other person's presence, where the pleasure is not derived from who they are as an individual, but rather from their actions or sense of humor. The primary requirement for the most elevated form of love according to Aristotle is that one must love oneself.

The presence of an egoistic foundation is crucial for him to extend sympathy and affection towards others (NE, IX. 8). This self-love does not rely on pursuing immediate pleasures or seeking approval from others; instead, it reflects his pursuit of nobility and virtue, ultimately leading to a contemplative life. Friendship with others is essential for him as he seeks to contemplate worthy actions and engage in pleasant discussions and thoughts, which align with the virtuous man's nature and his friend's (NE, IX.). The morally virtuous man deserves to be loved by those

below him, but he is not obligated to reciprocate with an equal amount of love. This suggests that Aristotelian love is elitist or perfectionist, as "In all friendships implying inequality the love also should be proportional, i.e., the better should be more loved than he loves" (NE, VIII, 7). Reciprocity, though not necessarily equal, is a requirement for Aristotelian love and friendship. However, parental love can sometimes involve one-sided fondness.