True Love In Romeo And Juliet

From the moment we first hear about Romeo, it is in the context of his suffering at the hands of love. Romeo’s father, Montague, perplexed by his son’s behavior states that, “Many a morning hath he there been seen, / With tears augmenting the fresh morning’s dew, / Adding to clouds more clouds with his deep sighs” (1.1.124-26). While this may be the first time we encounter Romeo’s melancholy humour, it certainly isn’t the last. In fact, one of the primary sources of our infatuation with Romeo rests in our sympathy for him. From the very start this poor boy is plagued by affections for girls that fate, it seems, will not let him be with. At first, it’s Rosaline, a girl who has “sworn that she will still live chaste” (1.1.210), a vow that sets Romeo reeling and complaining because “from love’s weak childish bow she lives unharmed” (1.1.204). His depression over Rosaline is enough to draw the attention of his father, Montague, who has observed that Romeo shuts himself up in his room all day in order to wallow in the darkness. These are the actions of someone who is undeniably quite

Romeo is a melodramatic 16-year old that lets his downheartedness over Rosaline take over when he sees Juliet. Romeo is unhappy, as Rosaline decided to stay chaste, and then he meets Juliet and he sees that she is looks attractive and wants to make irresponsible decisions. Romeo gives a perfect example of his irresponsible, lustful identity when he says this, “Did my heart love till now? / Forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night”(Shakespeare,

"...Sisters' vows...school days' friendship...our needles created both one flower...so we grew together...like a double cherry...in union in partition...one heart...our ancient love..." (3.2.202-218)

Romeo is portrayed as an emotional and reckless character. His friend Mercutio and Fr. Lawrence comment on Romeo’s fickle attitude when he immediately falls in love with Juliet completely forgetting about Rosaline, his first love. Romeo quotes,” Did my heart love until now? Foreswear it sight, for I never saw true beauty until this night”. His love for Rosaline was superficial. Juliet transforms Romeo’s immature and erotic infatuation to true and constant love. After meeting Juliet he matures very quickly. Maybe Romeo’s love for Juliet is so intense because unlike Rosaline, Juliet reciprocates his

“But our love it was stronger by far than the love of those who were older than we.”

according to Shakespeare reason needs to guide the souls of lovers to avoid tragedy and find

Juliet’s love and loyalty towards Romeo, and her developing character do not only play an important role in motivating her in speaking the lines that she does, but also in motivating her actions. Despite all the current events that have occurred; events that have affected her state of mind, Juliet decides to remain true and faithful to Romeo.

Throughout the story, Juliet develops from a naive girl to one who is mature and understanding. The first noticeable action is

As the story of Romeo and Juliet further progresses, Romeo’s true character becomes more and more apparent; he seems to act solely by impulse. Romeo acts moreso with his emotions, and sudden thoughts than his brain which stores reason and logic. This causes for tragedy and unfortunate circumstance by the end of the poem. This shows how impulsive he is in most of his decisions and how he tends to be very dramatic in everything that he does. When Romeo discovers that Juliet is dead, he almost immediately dramatically decides to drink poison, to kill himself. “Here’s to love, O true apothecary, thy drugs are quick - thus with a kiss I die.” Which shows how quickly he makes wrash and dramatic decisions without thinking it through. If Romeo had not been so careless and impulsive in his decision, Juliet would have awoken and they would both still be alive.

The love between the couple is eternal, through death and life. During the midpoint of the story, when Romeo is about to fight

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Sacrifice is one of the roots in life. To have one thing, another has to be sacrificed. Just like with life, in order for one to live, another has to have a consequence. In Barbara Kingsolver’s novel, The Poisonwood Bible, Ruth May is the sacrificed soul to “save” the Price family. Because of her death, Orleanna was able to finally snap out of her Nathan ruled trance.

careless and he also seemed a little more concerned about himself. He pretty much leaves Juliet to

During some of part one, and two, we slowly learn about Romeo and his dilemma. He has fallen in love with beautiful Rosaline and all of his heart is crying out to her. He vows to never see a beauty as fair as her, and complains about the rudeness and pain of love. He allows himself to go to the party with Mercutio and his friends, but remarks he won't have a good time. "I'll go along, no such sight to be shown, But to rejoice in a splendor of mine own."  That is until he sees Juliet. Instantly he forgets all of his lamenting for Rosaline love, and proclaims Juliet is the most beautiful thing he has ever seen. "O! she doth teach the torches to burn bright. It seems she hangs on the cheek of night, like a rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear; Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear! So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows, As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows. The measure done, I'll watch her place of stand, And, touching hers, make blessed my rude hand. Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night."

Romeo and Juliet is a play about decisions, and more importantly, about action which comes after the decisions. The play demonstrates how love and hate can impair the decision making process, which in turn creates foolish actions. The main characters make decisions based on hate or love, and the actions cause unforeseeable consequences. For all actions, there are consequences - and the more important the action is, the more serious the consequence. The actions in Romeo and Juliet were fuelled by hate.