Attitudes Toward Love in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

Love is a central theme in William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet. The characters' attitudes toward 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 toward 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.

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 toward love can be seen in Act 1, Scene 1, when he describes his unrequited love for Rosaline:

One fairer than my love? The all-seeing sun
Ne'er saw her match since first the world begun.
- Romeo (1.2.92-93)

Here, Romeo's exaggerated language suggests that he sees Rosaline as the epitome of beauty and perfection, unable to be surpassed by any other woman. His attitude toward love is idealistic and unrealistic, driven by passion and desire rather than rationality or understanding.

Romeo's Change in Attitude

However, Romeo's attitude toward 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 encounter marks a turning point in Romeo's attitude toward love:

Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight!
For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.
- Romeo (1.5.50-51)

Romeo's language here indicates a shift in his perception of love. He believes that his love for Rosaline was merely superficial, and that his encounter with Juliet has awakened him to the true meaning of love. Romeo's attitude now aligns with a more genuine and profound 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 drives him to make hasty decisions, resulting in the deaths of both himself and Juliet. Romeo's attitude toward love can be seen in Act 5, Scene 3, when he discovers Juliet's lifeless body:

O my love, my wife! Death, that hath sucked the honey of thy breath,
Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty.
- Romeo (5.3.92-93)

Even in the face of death, Romeo's love for Juliet remains unwavering. His attitude toward 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, ultimately leading to the loss of both their lives.

Conclusion

Romeo's attitudes toward love in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet undergo a significant transformation throughout 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 and awakens the soul. However, Romeo's impulsive nature and extreme devotion to love ultimately lead to tragedy. This highlights the complex and often contradictory nature of love, as well as the potential consequences of unchecked passion. Shakespeare's portrayal of Romeo's attitudes toward love serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the dangers of unbridled love and the importance of temperance and rationality in matters of the heart.

Bibliography

Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. Edited by Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine, Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, 2009.