Loyalty and betrayal are often found in Shakespearean plays to add interest and tension to the story. Romeo and Juliet is a Shakespearean play that displays these qualities. In the play, there were many different types of loyalty that progressed over time and were constantly being tested. When the loyalties were being tested by risks and threats, some characters resisted them while others did not. The Friar remained loyal to Romeo while the nurse betrayed Juliet when the nurse was tested with threats. However, one of the strongest bonds in the play was the relationship of Romeo and Juliet. The Friar was very devoted to Romeo, as he was allegiant to Romeo even after Romeo’s death. The Friar took the role as Romeo’s father, although …show more content…
The two lovers remained loyal to each other, and even after many turn-of-events, they still showed commitment to each other. After Juliet found out that Romeo was a Montague, she said: “Deny thy father and refuse thy name./Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,/And I’ll no longer be a Capulet” (2.2.37-39). Juliet showed her loyalty to Romeo since she was telling the truth, as Juliet was talking to herself. Although Juliet knew that Romeo was one of the Montagues, she still stayed loyal to Romeo as she would forget about even her family for Romeo’s love. Likewise, when Romeo discovered that Juliet was the daughter of the Capulets, he did not give up either. Despite the chance of getting caught, which could be punished by death, Romeo went into the Capulets’ orchard, just to see Juliet. When Juliet appeared, he even said: “It is my lady, O it is my love” (2.2.10). Romeo knew that he could give up, and find someone else. However, he stayed loyal to Juliet, despite the fact was the daughter of his enemy. He even referenced Juliet was “my love”, as though they were already engaged, which illustrated his dedication to Juliet. This quotation formed the foundation for the relationship between Romeo and Juliet, which progressed significantly through the development of the play. When the loyalty of their relationship was being tested it did not break and it made the bond between the two lovers even stronger. When Juliet received the news that Romeo killed Tybalt, her initial reaction was that she felt betrayed by Romeo. However, when the nurse scolded at Romeo, Juliet defended Romeo. She said to the nurse “Blistered be thy tongue/For such a wish! He was not born to shame./Upon his brow shame is ashamed to sit” (3.2.99-101). Juliet neutralized her initial reaction as she defended Romeo, rather than the nurse. She said that Romeo