From movies to television shows, from poetry to music, one thing is for certain--love is almost always in the air.  Yet, love is a concept that should not be oversimplified.  No--there are several aspects to what love is and to what love is not.  Throughout William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the motif of love vs. infatuation is established to help deliver one of the central ideas that love has the power to blind anyone, especially emotional adolescents.  This idea is significant because it emphasizes the point that when people allow themselves to be swept away by passion, they run the risk of ignoring all of the warning signs along the way.

In popular cinema, the idea of tempting fate or even escaping fate is a prevalent notion.  Movies like Final Destination and Slumdog Millionaire are two relatively well-known examples; plays often explore these same concepts, too.  Throughout William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the motif of fate is established to help deliver one of the central ideas that no matter how hard people try, if they tempt fate or try to defy their destiny, they will likely lose.  This idea is significant because even though people like to think they are in control, sometimes there are greater forces at play.

There is an old saying that opposites attract--that for every yin there is a yang.  Yet, there also exists the popular notion that extreme feelings often lead to extreme endings.  Throughout Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare’s repeated use of antithesis helps foreshadow the idea that things will not work out well for the two young lovers, Romeo and Juliet.  This idea is significant because it teaches the audience that loving in moderation is often safer than being swept away by passion.

I have no joy of this contract tonight.

It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden,

Too like the lightning, which doth cease to be

Ere one can say 'It lightens.' Sweet, good night. This bud of love, by summer's ripening breath,

May prove a beauteous flower when next we meet.

Good night, good night. As sweet repose and rest

Come to thy heart as that within my breast" (Shakespeare 2.2.123-131).

And madly play with my forefather’s joints,

And pluck the mangled Tybalt from his shroud,

And, in this rage, with some great kinsman’s bone, 
As with a club, dash out my desperate brains?

Oh, look! Methinks I see my cousin’s ghost

Seeking out Romeo, that did spit his body

Upon a rapier’s point. Stay, Tybalt, stay!

Romeo, Romeo, Romeo! Here’s drink. I drink to thee" (Shakespeare 4.3.50-60).

And little mouse, every unworthy thing,

Live here in heaven and may look on her,

But Romeo may not. More validity,

More honorable state, more courtship lives

In carrion flies than Romeo. They may seize

On the white wonder of dear Juliet’s hand

And steal immortal blessing from her lips" (Shakespeare 3.3.31-39).