Romeo

• "Here's much to do with hate, but more with love" (Act 1, scene 1)


  Romeo says this in the midst of the feud between Montagues and Capulets and acknowledges whilst there is much hate, love holds greater significance

  Romeo believes that admist the chaos and conflict fueled by hate, love emerges as the stronger force.

  It highlights the enduring power of love through its ability transcend societal barriers and conflicts (later on) --> possible foreshadowing

  Highlights connection between love and hate and their interconnections
• "O brawling love, o loving hate" (Act 1, Scene 1)


  confides in Benvolio his deep thoughts that love is painful and difficult; encapsulates the paradoxical nature of love

  Romeo is expressing his inner turmoil and confusion regarding the conflicting emotions he feels towards love

  "brawling" --> conflict, turbulence nature

  "loving hate" --> (an oxymoron: love and affection intertwined with struggles; highlights Romeo's understanding of the complexity of love)

  love can be contradictory, evoking feelings of frustration and especially in reciprocated love (feeling lovelorn)
• "loving hate" 


  Captures the tension between positive and negative aspects of love; Romeo's unrequited love for Rosaline leads to feelings of love and hate, as he feels frustration and anguish because she doesn't return his affections
• "Did my heat love till now? forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night" (Act 1, Scene 5)


  Romeo reflects on his past experiences of love and believes he has been blind to true love until this moment, implying that their love was meant to be and that their love is destined to overcome any obstacles

  The quote also demonstrates the intense and immediate nature of Romeo and Juliet's love; Romeo's assertion that this is "true" indicates their love is genuine and profound
• "Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night" (Act 1, Scene 5)


  Romeo questions whether he has ever loved anyone before, suggesting his previous experiences of love pale in comparison to the intense and immediate connection he feels with Juliet --> also demonstrates the transformative power of love as before encountering Juliet, Romeo thought he understood what love was, but upon meeting her realises he had never truly experienced its depth and beauty: contrasts requited against unrequited love
• "Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night" (Act 1, Scene 5)


  The quote also highlights the notion of love at first sight, empathizing the profound impact Juliet has on him- indicating that their love is destined and fated

  Shakespeare shows Romeo as a character obsessed with courtly love; audiences have just seen Romeo profess a broken heart over Rosaline's unrequited love and will judge him for this change of heart

  Also presents Romeo's harmatia (fatal flaw)- impulsivity, his fickleness and obsession with courtly love
• "Under love's heavy burden do I sink" (Act 1, Scene 4)


  -Romeo tells Mercutio he is unable to go to the Capulet Ball as he is heartbroken; feels gloomy/ worn down due to his unreciprocated love

  -sinking feeling/ physically constricting--> the use of this metaphorical language expresses his pain as a pressure weighing him down

  -Romeo alludes to the dark moods the audience has seen he's prone to in Act 1, Scene 1

  -Shakespeare shows Romeo as sensitive and prone to depression. This subverts gender stereotypes by commenting on pressures for young men
• in response to Romeo feeling "under love's heavy burden" --> Mercutio replies saying "Nay, gentle Romeo, we must have you dance": this shows that he's supportive/ caring, may also relate to theme of fate as the modal verb of "must" indicates their love is destined
• Romeo goes from declaring the way in which his feelings for Rosaline make him "mad" and bring him pain, and feeling "under love's heavy burden"- to immediately falling in love at first sight with Juliet, and seemingly forgetting about Rosaline.

  Therefore some may perceive Romeo as being reckless in his attitude towards love; as he is bold, passionate and impulsive.

  On the otherhand, this may further relate to theme of fate/ destined love as Romeo is only infatuated with Rosaline, but truly in love with Juliet; or may also portray the intensity of their requited love
• "Call me but love and I'll be new baptised" 


  Romeo is willing to change his identity for Juliet so she can love him --> this is significant as it shows how Romeo's love for Juliet is more important to him than his own family, with only having known her for a few hours at this point - clear displayal of his hamartia
• "O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright" (Act 1, Scene 5)

  Metaphorical expression of Juliet's beauty; highlights intensity of his infatuation

  Contrast with darkness; may be symbolic of the hope and light --> links to light and dark imagery; symbolic of Juliet's purity, beauty and innocence

  Transformative love--> new meaning and intensity, their love transforms even ordinary things, like torches

  Romeo's newfound love causes him to see the world in a new light
• "Juliet is the sun" (Act 2, scene 1)

  emphasis of her radiant and captivating presence

  the Sun is essential for life on Earth; may be symbolic of Juliet bringing vitality and joy into his life. May also show the significant hold Juliet had over Romeo's emotions and actions

  May also be symbolic of the obstacles that separate them (due to the familial feud)