Episode #242 ... Romeo and Juliet - William Shakespeare

Episode #242 ... Romeo and Juliet - William Shakespeare

From Philosophize This! by Stephen West

November 29, 2025 · 31 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the philosophical themes in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, focusing on violence, love, and societal stability.

Today we talk about the philosophy behind the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. We talk about how ineffective violence and honor codes are as ways of maintaining the stability of a society. How catastrophe may be a deterrent to violence. The tension presented by Shakespeare between a Christian view of love, marriage and salvation and an alternative religion of love from his time. How in the kinds of love we most admire there is sometimes an element of irrationality that makes it possible. Hope you love it. :) Sponsors: ZocDoc: https://www.ZocDoc.com/PHILO Quince: https://www.QUINCE.com/pt Nord VPN: https://nordvpn.com/philothis Thank you so much for listening! Could never do this without your help. Website: https://www.philosophizethis.org/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/philosophizethis Social: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philosophizethispodcast X: https://twitter.com/iamstephenwest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/philosophizethisshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Stephen West

Topics covered

  • philosophy
  • violence
  • love
  • society
  • Shakespeare
  • honor codes

Keywords

  • Romeo and Juliet
  • William Shakespeare
  • philosophy
  • violence
  • love
  • society
  • honor codes

Sponsors

ZocDoc, Quince, Nord VPN

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Romeo and Juliet

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