The Importance Of Love In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

Is love at first sight? Is love based on looks? Falling in love at such young age really real ways to love at all? Common motifs of books show characters often falling in love at a young age. In Romeo and Juliet, the Shakespearean tragedy, it is proved that it is not. Why? Juliet was the rebound to Romeo’s other love, Rosaline, they both take actions that show they’re immature, and Romeo is already in ‘love’ with Juliet before he gets to know her, and it shows Romeo is only attracted to Juliet for her looks not her actual self. In Romeo and Juliet they were not in love; Romeo was in love with another beautiful lady named Rosaline, and Juliet was just his rebound. Romeo was not aware of Juliet 's existence until he went to a party. Friar Lawrence says “Holy Saint Francis, what a change is here! Is Rosaline whom thou didst love so dear, so soon forsaken?”(2.3.65), this shows that Romeo shocked Friar Lawrence with his feelings towards someone other than Rosaline so quickly. Romeo says, “’ll go along, no such sight to be shown, But to rejoice in splendor of mine own.’’ (2.5.104), showing that he fully planned on only looking at Rosaline, and not wanting another lady. This changed very quickly. Romeo was truly in love with Rosaline, not Juliet. Therefore, this proves that Juliet is just the rebound to Romeo’s ever changing feelings.

Romeo and Juliet were immature people. Juliet was just a young girl, who was not ready to give her life to someone. Juliet was only 13