'Alack there lies more peril in thine eye
Than twenty of their swords; look thou but sweet,
And I am proof against their enmity.'
as he wants to stay and convince Juliet. He is more immature when Juliet warns him again. He says he does not care about his life if Juliet does not love him. These words show that he is not mature and sensible enough. He is being naïve as he just care about each moment with Juliet but does not think of Juliet's situation and the consequence of being killed or even does not care about his life. By the end of the scene, we can tell that he is thirsty for love as before he leaves, he says, 'O wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?' to ask for a kiss from Juliet again. He wants more things from Juliet but he is self-centred and selfish to ask that he does not think of Juliet.
Does Romeo really love Juliet? This is doubtful. In the Capulet Ball Scene, when he first sees Juliet, he is surprised by Juliet's beauty. He says,
'Did my heart love till now? Forswear it sight,
For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.'
As he asks himself if he still loves Rosaline. "For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night" shows that he is attracted by Juliet's beauty and he changes to love Juliet suddenly. We can also see this in the Balcony Scene.
'Arise fair sun and kill the envious moon,
Who is already sick and pale with grief
That thou her maid art far more fair than she.
Be not her maid since she is envious.
Her vestal livery is but sick and green,'
He uses, "envious", "pale", "sick" and "green" to describe Rosaline, compared with Juliet. He uses bright words to describe Juliet and bad words to describe how awful Rosaline is, which shows a big opposition between Juliet and Rosaline. Finally, he says,' And none but fools do wear it; cast it off:' to conclude in saying no one will love Rosaline. He realises that loving Rosaline is a stupid thing. He does not love Rosaline anymore. By the end of this scene, an impractical and unrealistic element of his character is revealed. He is very impractical. He says,
'Lady, by yonder blessed moon I vow,
That tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops-'
as he is declaring his love to Juliet by swear. But then Juliet tells him not to do so, then he says, 'What shall I swear by?' He does not listen to Juliet's words. He just thinks of "swear" but not declare his love by practical action.
Other than Romeo's unsympathetic qualities, we can also find his sympathetic qualities in these two scenes. Romeo is a very romantic character. This can be seen in both of the scene. In the Capulet Ball Scene, Romeo uses lovely words when speaking to Juliet. He says,
'If I profane with my unworthiest hand
This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this,
My lips two blushing pilgrims ready stand
To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.'
to ask for a kiss from Juliet in a romantic expression. These words describe Juliet as pure. From "holy shrine", he describes her as being like an angel. She is bright but Romeo himself is only an ordinary men, he has general sins. He is bold but if Juliet kisses him, his sins can be taken away. Juliet can bless him. He is praising Juliet's beauty and purity. In the Balcony Scene, Juliet warns him and he responds romantically. He says,' My life were better ended by their hate,
Than death prorogued wanting of thy love.'
to declare his love to Juliet. He says he would rather die than be without Juliet's love. This shows how much Romeo concerns about Juliet. Love is his first priority. He believes in "love at first sight". At the first sight of Juliet, he says,
'What lady's that which doth enrich
the hand
Of yonder knight?'
The word "enrich" makes Juliet brighter and rich, like a jewel. He stands aside to admire Juliet.
"O she doth teach the torches to burn bright.
It seems she hangs the cheek of night
Like a rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear;
Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear.
So shows a snowy dore trooping with crows,"
Describing how pretty Juliet is. Using "snowy dore" and "rich jewel" to describe Juliet is white and meanwhile he uses words to describe black like "crows", "ethiop's ear" to make Juliet stands out from the rest as to suggest that Juliet is light which means that Juliet is like a star, lighting up the dark sky as if she lights up his life. Throughout these two scenes, Romeo shows the kind of love he feels Juliet. He worships Juliet. He uses several religious references to call Juliet. He uses 'holy shrine", "dear saint" to refer to Juliet. In the Balcony Scene, he says 'It is the east; Juliet is the sun' and
'Bright angel for thou art
As glorious to this night, being o'er my head,
As is a winged messenger of heaven"
as to describe her beauty. He uses iterative imagery of lights with words like "sun", "bright angel", "glory" and "messenger of heaven" to say Juliet is the source of life as if she is an eternal being lighting and giving hope to his life. These words indicate that he worships her.
We can tell that Romeo is very passionate and affectionate towards Juliet in both of the scenes, especially the Balcony Scene. In the Balcony Scene, he pleads, 'O speak again, bright angel' and ' Shall I hear more or shall I speak at this' as he is delighted and reveals his presence to her and declares his love to Juliet. At first he says,
'Call me but 'love', and I 'll be new baptized.
Henceforth I never be Romeo'
Then introduces himself without telling his name.
'By a name, I know not how to tell thee who I am.
My name, dear saint is hateful to myself,
Because it is an enemy to thee.
Had I written, I would tear the word'
As to say he will be baptized if Juliet loves him and never be Romeo. He says he hates his name because it is the enemy of Juliet's family. He would tear off his name to be other names. He can give up the identity of Montague to love Juliet but he cannot live without her. In the other speech, he says,
'By love that first did prompt me to inquire;
He lent me counsel and I lent him eyes.
I am no pilot, yet wert thou as far
As that vast shore washed with farthest sea,
I should adventure for such merchandise.'
as to declare his love again to Juliet. In these speeches, his tenderness to Juliet can be seen. He says he will follow Juliet wherever she is, he will travel there to be with her. The word "merchandise" symbolizes the relationship between both of them. This word indicates that he desires, treasures and values this relationship. By the end of the scene, Juliet tells him she wants to control him. Romeo says, 'I would I were thy bird.'
He says he is willing to be in her control. He is willing to lose his freedom, to be possessed by her.
In conclusion, I think Romeo is a sympathetic character. Although he is immature, impulsive and self'-centred, I think this is acceptable as everyone has their defects. However, love at first sight is unbelievable. He changes to love Juliet immediately. I cannot believe he loves Juliet but he is affectionate towards Juliet. He can give up his identity of Montague. He can sacrifice his freedom to be a possession of Juliet and to be with her. He puts Juliet in first position. He is a bit selfish that does not think of Juliet but this is due to he has been hurt by love before. He is love-thirsty, so that there is no doubt at all. If we say Romeo is impractical, it is better to say he is romantic. Romeo's true love to Juliet deeply touches audiences and moves their hearts as it did Juliet's. Therefore for audiences, Romeo is a character of romance, affection, attraction and sympathy.
