William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

In my essay I am going to explain and conclude the extend to which the

audience is convinced that Romeo really is in love by the end of Act

1.

When Romeo says 'Here's much to do with hate, but more with love….'

(Act 1: Scene 1: Line 5) I believe he is referring to two things

specifically; he is referring to one, the feud at the beginning of Act

1: Scene 1 and he is sick and tired of the on going fight between the

Montagues and the Capulets. I also believe he is referring to his

'love' with Rosaline. Because of the feud and his unreturned love from

Rosaline we can tell Romeo is a depressed and lonely character at this

part of the play.

We learn a lot about the character Romeo before he has even entered

the play, from words of others, Benvolio and Montague (Romeo's father)

are discussing Romeos strange behaviour in Act 1: Scene 1, a lot is

said to indicate Romeo is depressed 'Many a morning he there been

seen, with tears augmenting the fresh mornings dew,' Montague explains

that Romeo is crying by himself every morning clearly showing he is

depressed. 'Away from light steals home my heavy son' Romeo has been

shutting himself away from the rest of the world to think about

Rosaline. I think Romeo wants to be left alone so he can deal with the

rejection from Rosaline by himself.

When Romeo enters in Act 1: Scene 1 he discusses his sadness with

Benvolio, 'Out of her favour where I am in love' Romeo believes

strongly he is in love with Rosaline but she rejects him and does not

return that feeling, here in the play he explains this to Benvolio.

Romeo use's oxymorons whilst talking to Benvolio to attempt to explain

the pain and distress in a dramatic way to shock him. Because of the

rejection from Rosaline he is so confused and is trying to put it the

best way for Benvolio to understand.