Various Attitudes Toward Love in Romeo and Juliet

Love as Idealistic

So, how does Romeo really feel about love? That's the big question in "Romeo and Juliet." Shakespeare's play is all about different takes on love - from dreaming big to acting fast to facing tragedy. First up, let's chat about how Romeo sees love as this ideal, almost magical thing.

At the start of the play, Romeo is head over heels for Rosaline. He's got his head in the clouds, thinking love is like smoke made from sighs (Shakespeare, 1.1.197). Yeah, it's kinda dramatic, but it shows he's got this dreamy view of love.

Then bam! He spots Juliet at a party and it’s like Rosaline who? He says something like, "Did my heart ever love till now?" (Shakespeare, 1.5.52-53). You see how quickly he moves from one girl to the next? His idea of love is pretty intense and romantic.

But here's the kicker - Romeo's dream-like view of love makes him rush into things. Just think about how fast he jumps into marrying Juliet without really thinking it through. That impulsive move sets off a chain of events leading to some real heartache.

Love as Impulsive

Speaking of acting on impulse, let’s bring Mercutio into the mix. Unlike Romeo's poetic vibe, Mercutio treats love like a joke. Remember when he said something like "If love gives you trouble, give it trouble right back"? (Shakespeare, 1.4.27). He's more about having fun and not taking it seriously.

This reckless approach shows up when Romeo and Juliet get hitched in secret after only knowing each other for what feels like five minutes. They don’t think about what might happen later; they’re just caught up in the moment. And we all know how that worked out for them – yep, tragic ending.

Love as Tragic

Okay, let’s get real – while their romance is intense and passionate, it’s also doomed from the start. There’s this shadow hanging over their love story because they're supposed to be enemies right from their first meeting at the Capulet party.

The whole “star-crossed lovers” theme means they were never meant to make it work because of fate (Shakespeare). Their tragic end feels unavoidable given all these unlucky circumstances surrounding them.

Conclusion

In wrapping this up: "Romeo and Juliet" dives deep into various takes on love — dreamy ideals with Romeo's swooning over Rosaline then Juliet; impulsive actions seen both in quick marriages or Mercutio's joking ways; finally showing us just how beautiful yet destructive true passion can turn out by detailing such tragic outcomes stemming right off Cupid’s arrow itself... or dagger?

Their tale serves more than anything else as an age-old reminder about diving headfirst versus carefully wading through affairs involving heartstrings!

References

• Shakespeare, W. (1997). Romeo and Juliet. Washington Square Press.
• Bloom, H., & Foster, B.C. (2000). Understanding Romeo and Juliet: A Student Casebook to Issues,
  Sources and Historical Documents. Greenwood Press.
• Kottman, P.A. (2010). “Defying the Stars: Tragic Love as the Struggle for Freedom in ‘Romeo and
  Juliet.’” Shakespeare Quarterly.