Unrequited Love - Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet Essay
Unrequited Love
Love was always a monopoly. You never know whether someone really loves you or not. All you know is you love them. That is what always makes unrequited love difficult. In Romeo and Juliet, unrequited love is present whether apparent or implied. Romeo falls in love with Rosaline and Paris falls in love with Juliet which remain the most obvious examples. However, I do believe their is an unrequited love between Juliet and her parents. When we first meet Romeo, he is infatuated by Rosaline (which he calls love), who happens not to be in love with him and plans to become a nun.
“Why, such love’s transgression. Griefs of mine own lie heavy in my breast,
Which thou with propagate to have it pressed (I, i, 192-194)”
Romeo in this quote proves his infatuation of Rosaline, not necessarily love. The following words show his “love” for Rosaline has added grief. However, the words he uses adds “sexual implications.” Another quote that proves Romeo’s love for Rosaline would later take place in the conversation between Benvolio and Romeo: Well in that hit you miss. She’ll not be hit. With Cupid’s arrow. She hath Dian’s wit, And, in strong proof of chastity well armed, From love’s weak childish bow she lives uncharmed (I, i, 216-219)
In these rhyming couplets, Romeo talks about Rosaline and how he cannot win her heart especially since she wants to become a nun. Him not winning her heart becomes apparent when he says “Well in that hit you miss. She’ll not be hit. With Cupid’s arrow.” To know Rosaline becomes a nun (which has an effect on Romeo winning her heart knowing she is dedicated to God) he says, “She hath Dian’s wit,
And, in strong proof of chastity well armed. (I, i, 217)” Dian: “the wisdom of Diana , goddess of chastity, who was opposed to love and marriage.” (Dictionary Source Pg 22) Another example of unrequited love displayed in Romeo and Juliet is Paris’ love for Juliet. In the beginning of the play,
Unrequited Love
Love was always a monopoly. You never know whether someone really loves you or not. All you know is you love them. That is what always makes unrequited love difficult. In Romeo and Juliet, unrequited love is present whether apparent or implied. Romeo falls in love with Rosaline and Paris falls in love with Juliet which remain the most obvious examples. However, I do believe their is an unrequited love between Juliet and her parents. When we first meet Romeo, he is infatuated by Rosaline (which he calls love), who happens not to be in love with him and plans to become a nun.
“Why, such love’s transgression. Griefs of mine own lie heavy in my breast,
Which thou with propagate to have it pressed (I, i, 192-194)”
Romeo in this quote proves his infatuation of Rosaline, not necessarily love. The following words show his “love” for Rosaline has added grief. However, the words he uses adds “sexual implications.” Another quote that proves Romeo’s love for Rosaline would later take place in the conversation between Benvolio and Romeo: Well in that hit you miss. She’ll not be hit. With Cupid’s arrow. She hath Dian’s wit, And, in strong proof of chastity well armed, From love’s weak childish bow she lives uncharmed (I, i, 216-219)
In these rhyming couplets, Romeo talks about Rosaline and how he cannot win her heart especially since she wants to become a nun. Him not winning her heart becomes apparent when he says “Well in that hit you miss. She’ll not be hit. With Cupid’s arrow.” To know Rosaline becomes a nun (which has an effect on Romeo winning her heart knowing she is dedicated to God) he says, “She hath Dian’s wit,
And, in strong proof of chastity well armed. (I, i, 217)” Dian: “the wisdom of Diana , goddess of chastity, who was opposed to love and marriage.” (Dictionary Source Pg 22) Another example of unrequited love displayed in Romeo and Juliet is Paris’ love for Juliet. In the beginning of the play,
Cited: Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. New York: Folger Shakespeare Library, 1992. ----------------------- Romeo and Juliet Essay Unrequited Love