Topic > Attitudes towards love in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

IndexRomeo's initial attitude towards loveRomeo's change of attitudeRomeo's tragic loveConclusionBibliographyLove is a central theme in William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet Juliet. The characters' attitudes towards love are complex and multifaceted, reflecting the different perspectives on love prevalent during the Elizabethan era. In this essay we will explore Romeo's attitude towards love and how it evolves throughout the play. By examining key moments in the text, we will gain insight into Romeo's changing beliefs about love and its transformative power. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Romeo's Initial Attitude Toward Love At the beginning of the play, Romeo is portrayed as a young man deeply infatuated with the idea of ​​love. He is described as being in love with the idea of ​​being in love, rather than truly understanding or experiencing love itself. This is evident in his initial infatuation with Rosaline. Romeo's attitude towards love can be seen in Act 1, Scene 1, when he describes his unrequited love for Rosaline:A fairer than my love? The all-seeing sunNe'er has seen his match since the world began.- Romeo (1.2.92-93)Here, Romeo's exaggerated language suggests that he sees Rosaline as the epitome of beauty and perfection, incapable to be surpassed by no other woman. His attitude towards love is idealistic and unrealistic, driven by passion and desire rather than rationality or understanding. Romeo's Change in Attitude However, Romeo's attitude towards love undergoes a significant change when he meets Juliet. In Act 1, scene 5, Romeo sees Juliet for the first time and is immediately captivated by her beauty. This meeting marks a turning point in Romeo's attitude towards love: Has my heart loved until now? Deny him, look! For I had never seen true beauty until this night.- Romeo (1.5.50-51)Romeo's language here indicates a change in his perception of love. He believes that his love for Rosaline was merely superficial and that his meeting with Juliet awakened him to the true meaning of love. Romeo's attitude now aligns with a more genuine and deeper understanding of love, characterized by its intensity and transformative power. Romeo's Tragic Love Despite his newfound understanding of love, Romeo's attitude toward love ultimately leads to tragedy. His impulsive and passionate nature pushes him to make hasty decisions, resulting in the deaths of both himself and Juliet. Romeo's attitude towards love can be seen in Act 5, scene 3, when he discovers Juliet's lifeless body: O my love, my wife! Death, which has sucked the honey from your breath, has not yet had power over your beauty. - Romeo (5.3.92-93) Even in the face of death, Romeo's love for Juliet remains unshakable. His attitude towards love is now characterized by a willingness to sacrifice everything for the sake of love, even his own life. However, this tragic end highlights the consequences of Romeo's impulsive and irrational attitude, which ultimately leads to the loss of both lives. Conclusion Romeo's attitude towards love in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet undergoes a significant transformation over the course of the play. Initially driven by infatuation and idealism, Romeo's perception of love evolves when he meets Juliet. He comes to understand love as a powerful force that transcends superficiality, 2009.