Examples Of Unrequited Love In Romeo And Juliet

Unrequited Love

Romeo and Juliet, a timeless piece of literature written by William Shakespeare in 1595. The storyline depicts two star-crossed lovers from rivaling families in the humble streets of Verona, Italy. While the romantic love between handsome Romeo and fair Juliet encaptures all of our hearts, there is more than just romantic love hidden in this play’s depths. For example, unrequited love plays a significant role in the making of this story. It is because of the unrequited love that the two lovers meet. The burning passion for Rosaline creates a reason for Romeo to set himself up to meet Juliet. Paris’s love for Juliet creates an instance for the star-crossed lovers to meet. Unrequited love still lives on in modern day culture.
When Romeo’s love for Rosaline was not reciprocated back and she swore chaste, Romeo was left in a dreadful state. He was dreary and depressed, he was constantly reminding everyone around him of the true horrors of the world, in his perspective. When Romeo describes his unrequited love for Rosaline he says, “Well, in that hit you miss; she’ll not be hit with Cupid’s arrow, she hath Dian’s wit,/ And in strong proof of chastity well armed/ From love’s weak childish bow she lives unharmed” (I,i,203-205). Romeo describes how he was hit with Cupid’s arrow of love but she was not and how she will never be touched by love, especially not for him. HIs unrequited love for Rosaline is needed in the story, though. Romeo only brought himself to go to Capulet’s party so that he could see Rosaline, but said party is where he meets fair Juliet. This unrequited love was sweet but depressing. Another case of unrequited love in Romeo and Juliet, was Paris’s love for Juliet. Although they have never met, Paris has a sort of infatuation with her and he has chosen to marry her. Juliet is not as intent to marry as Paris and this creates the everlasting theme of unrequited love. Juliet explains this to her mother when Lady Capulet tries to convince Juliet of marriage. She says, “I’ll look to like, if looking liking move,/ But no more deep will I endart mine eye/ Than your consent given strength to
Stalkers are a large example of it. Well-known celebrities get fans that love them a little too much, and try to make their love be reciprocated in anyway possible. This includes following the celebrity around, sneaking into a celebrity’s house, or any other measure they can think of to get the celebrity to notice them. SOme of these stalkers turn into extreme cases. One example of an extreme case was that of Boston priest, David Ajemian, and famous television host, Conan O”Brien. Ajemian was arrested in 2014 for stalking O’Brien over a fourteen-month period. After getting out of jail, Ajemian was found outside of NBC Studios in New York City trying to get in to see the filming of O’Brien’s late-night show. Ajemian went to insane lengths to get O’Brien’s attention. He even called the comedian’s parents, who live in Boston. Ajemian sent O’Brien obsessive letters. SOme even led to the consumption that Ajemian has stalked other celebrities before. Ajemian was arrested again, stripped of his priestly title, and sent to Riker’s Island, where he possibly faces one year in prison. This occurrence of unrequited is disturbing and creepy and not in anyway like that of Romeo and Juliet. While unrequited love has been around for a very long time, it has changed in many ways. It has become more creepy and obsessive. Whereas in Shakespeare play, it was cute in a way and very sad. Romeo’s love for Rosaline was almost admirable in the way that