We all know, or have heard of the exemplary romantic tale of Romeo and Juliet. The classic love story, written by a well-known playwright, William Shakespeare, tells the story of two star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet, who stem from feuding families. Romeo is a Montague and Juliet, a Capulet, whose parents will arrange a marriage with Paris once she has exceeded her fourteen years. Within seconds of their encounter at a feast held by the Capulets, Romeo and Juliet claim to have fallen in love. In this moment, I believe they mistook attraction for love, and there is a clear distinction between infatuation and love. Infatuation is an intense but short-lived admiration for someone or something. On the other hand, love is moreover an intense …show more content…
In the start of the play, Romeo can be seen upset or saddened. He declares that he is devastated over Rosaline, the one who had his heart in her grip. Rosaline, however, can’t return the love since she has chosen a life of chastity. Her choice to not have physical relations with anyone leaves Romeo feeling alive, but dead, he claims. As I see it, Romeo’s feelings are indeed, infatuation, which is firmly linked to physical attraction. His feelings were so intense that he worried his father due to the fact that he had been staying out all night. In addition, Romeo admits to mistaking genuine love for physical attraction, another indication that infatuation is present. When he first laid eyes on Juliet, he says the following, ‘Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight!’ Furthermore, Friar Laurence too, expresses the belief. In Act 2, scene 3, Friar Laurence says ‘[young men love] not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes. Here Friar Laurence remarks on Romeo’s instincts, tending to change his lovers quickly. To put it simply, Romeo’s desire for a lover has clouded his judgements and he cannot distinguish the difference between true love and mere physical