Love can be defined as a profound and captivating emotion that shapes the lives of individuals in various ways. In William Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet," various types of love are shown: unrequited, romantic, and platonic. We will focus on these as they apply through the characters of Romeo and Juliet.
Firstly, Unrequited love is a one-sided affection where one person has deep feelings of love for someone who does not share the same romantic interest. An example of this is Romeo’s unrequited love for Rosaline. Romeo states, "Out of her favor where I am in love."(Act 1. Scene 1. 173). He expresses his deep infatuation with Rosaline, who does not reciprocate his feelings. This unrequited love drives Romeo to extreme melancholy. Another example is County Paris’ unrequited love for Juliet. This is shown when Paris visits Juliet's tomb and says, "Happily met, my lady, and my
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This is shown in the famous balcony scene. Romeo states, "But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks? / It is the east, and Juliet is the sun!"(Act 2. Scene 2. 2-3) This expression portrays Romeo's overwhelming admiration for Juliet's beauty and his profound love for her. Further evidence is shown in Romeo's first encounter with Juliet at the Capulet's party. Romeo exclaims, "Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! / For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night."(Act 1. Scene 5. 52-53) This quote demonstrates Romeo's immediate attraction and infatuation with Juliet, indicating the intensity of their romantic love. Another example is when Juliet states "Come, gentle night; come, loving, black-browed night; / Give me my Romeo; and, when he shall die, / Take him and cut him out in little stars, / And he will make the face of heaven so fine / That all the world will be in love with night."(Act 3. Scene 2.