Act 1
Abstract
Where Shakespeare presents the stage for his play, where love (eros) has fallen in a world of strife (eris). The possibility of love’s escape from its fallen condition finds its representative in Romeo, a poet who is manifestly not of this world and whose relationship with his ladies emerges as theologically significant. Evidence emerges that Shakespeare’s play is to unfold in the wake of Dante’s Comedy as desire’s journey of ascent to its true, living form, this being at once natural and divine. Juliet’s active role proves to be central to Romeo’s “purgation” in anticipation of a Christian-like “resurrection” beyond all strife.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Shakespeare
Adaptation
and Literary Criticism
Renaissance Literature and Culture
Medieval Literature and History
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Routledge eBooks
- Pages
- 19–39
- Publication date
- 27 January 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter