Romeo and Juliet: True Love vs False Love
Romeo’s Love for Rosaline VS Romeo’s Love for Juliet
In the beginning of the play, Romeo is revealed to have “fallen in love” with Rosaline, who is depressed since she does not love him back. When asked by Benvolio who it was that Romeo was in love with, he makes vague descriptions, saying things such as, “the all-seeing sun Ne'er saw her match since first the world begun.” (1.2.94-95). However, when Romeo sees Juliet, his description becomes much more eloquent: “O, speak again, bright angel! for thou art / As glorious to this night, being o'er my head / As is a winged messenger of heaven” (2.2.) and
“O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon 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” (1.5.).
One thing to note was that while Rosaline was at the party, Romeo simply gazed, while after seeing Juliet, he became determined to meet her, and ends up kissing her twice at the party. From then on it is obvious that Romeo’s love for Juliet is much more authentic than his infatuation for Rosaline.
Montagues’ Love for Romeo VS Capulets’ Love for Juliet
Although both love their eldest child, it seems that the Montagues’ love for Romeo is more expressed and apparent throughout the play. The most obvious piece of evidence is Lord Capulet’s attitude towards Juliet. He wants her to marry Paris, not caring about her love interests, and is furious when she refuses to marry him. Furthermore, Lady Capulet avoids Juliet as Lord Capulet goes berserk; leaving the sorrow of the Capulet’s of Juliet’s death to be one of the few pieces of evidences that Capulets’ do love Juliet. Although Lord and Lady Montague rarely show up in the play, their love for Romeo is evident in the way Lady Capulet is concerned when Romeo becomes depressed, “O, where is Romeo? saw you him to-day? Right glad I am he was not at this fray.” (1.1.117-118) and Lord Montague seems
In the beginning of the play, Romeo is revealed to have “fallen in love” with Rosaline, who is depressed since she does not love him back. When asked by Benvolio who it was that Romeo was in love with, he makes vague descriptions, saying things such as, “the all-seeing sun Ne'er saw her match since first the world begun.” (1.2.94-95). However, when Romeo sees Juliet, his description becomes much more eloquent: “O, speak again, bright angel! for thou art / As glorious to this night, being o'er my head / As is a winged messenger of heaven” (2.2.) and
“O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon 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” (1.5.).
One thing to note was that while Rosaline was at the party, Romeo simply gazed, while after seeing Juliet, he became determined to meet her, and ends up kissing her twice at the party. From then on it is obvious that Romeo’s love for Juliet is much more authentic than his infatuation for Rosaline.
Montagues’ Love for Romeo VS Capulets’ Love for Juliet
Although both love their eldest child, it seems that the Montagues’ love for Romeo is more expressed and apparent throughout the play. The most obvious piece of evidence is Lord Capulet’s attitude towards Juliet. He wants her to marry Paris, not caring about her love interests, and is furious when she refuses to marry him. Furthermore, Lady Capulet avoids Juliet as Lord Capulet goes berserk; leaving the sorrow of the Capulet’s of Juliet’s death to be one of the few pieces of evidences that Capulets’ do love Juliet. Although Lord and Lady Montague rarely show up in the play, their love for Romeo is evident in the way Lady Capulet is concerned when Romeo becomes depressed, “O, where is Romeo? saw you him to-day? Right glad I am he was not at this fray.” (1.1.117-118) and Lord Montague seems