Romeo And Juliet Unrequited Love Essay

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In this extract from Act 1 Scene 4 of Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare presents contrasting attitudes to love through the dialogue between Mercutio and Romeo. Mercutio encourages Romeo to forget about his unrequited love for Rosaline and embrace love in a more positive way, suggesting that he should dance and borrow Cupid's wings to soar above his troubles. However, Romeo sees love as a heavy burden, too rough and boisterous, and he feels unable to move. He sees love as a painful experience, piercing him like a thorn. Shakespeare presents attitudes to love in different ways throughout the play. In the opening scenes, Romeo is deeply in love with Rosaline but she does not return his feelings. This unrequited love causes Romeo to be depressed and