Liam Patton 3/10/23
Romeo and Juliet Essay - Does Romeo truly love Juliet or is he just a Petrarchan Lover?
Oftentimes adults discount young love because they view it as not genuine and immature. In William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, he proves that in fact, young love does exist and this is expressed through the main characters, Romeo and Juliet. Although their love is brief and it can be argued that he is a petrarchan lover, there is evidence to prove that Romeo did truly love Juliet. During the party, Romeo falls in love with Juliet at first sight and has good intentions. Putting Juliet before himself, Romeo is ready to risk everything for her. Romeo refuses to exist in a world where there is no Juliet
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Romeo also treats Juliet with respect and is the best version of himself in her presence. Romeo is miserable before the party because he is falling out of love with Rosaline and he is convinced that there is no one else out there for him. Once Romeo meets Juliet he quickly cheers up as he had fallen in love at first sight. Romeo is kind and gentle with Juliet which shows he has an interest in her. He even refers to her as a “holy shrine” and says he will “smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss” (Shakespeare 1.5.107) after grabbing her hand. Regardless of the hatred between their feuding families, Romeo will “...take thee at thy word. / Call me but love, and I’ll be new baptized. / Henceforth I never will be Romeo.” (Shakespeare 2.2.53-55) Also disregarding the hatred, Romeo proves his love for Juliet by agreeing to marry her and tells Friar Lawrence, “Then plainly know my heart’s dear love is set / On the fair daughter of rich Capulet.” (Shakespeare 2.3.61-62) Not only does Romeo fall in love with Juliet at first sight and agree to marry her but he also continues to care for her and attend to her needs while risking his