What changes does love bring about in the characters of Romeo and Juliet?

        Romeo Montague is only 16 years old but does not act it. At the beginning of the play we see him looking down and depressed moping through the streets. When he sees Benvolio he immediately runs to hide and goes all shy. He is having love problems; he loves Rosaline but she doesn’t return the love. A quote for this is “Why, such is love’s transgression. Griefs of mine own lie heavy in my breast”. This means love is depressing and that’s life, don’t feel bad for me. This shows that he is depressed. When Mercutio and Benvolio asked him to go to the Capulet Ball with him and his friends he didn’t want to go. He would prefer to sit around and think about life. After they had convinced him to come to the ball he had said that he wouldn’t talk to anyone or dance. He would sit and watch. As soon as he entered the hall he saw Juliet Capulet. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. This instantly made him change. He was running around the hall looking for places to get a good view of her. You could tell that he had defiantly forgot about his love problems.

        Juliet Capulet is also only 14 years old. She doesn’t act her age either. At the beginning of the play we see Juliet talking to her Mother, Lady Capulet, whilst getting ready for a ball. Lady Capulet brings up the subject of marriage; she says to Juliet that she should get to know Paris. Juliet then says “I’ll look to like, if looking liking move, But no more deep will I endart mine eye. “This basically means that she will try and like him because her mom wants her to.” This shows that she is obedient to her parents. She is also naive about the way of life. You can tell this by the way she generally acts through-out the play. She thinks that everything will come to her.

        After Romeo and Juliet have met it is obvious they have changed. You can tell this by the way Romeo acts around people. He now interacts and talks with others. He also talks about love, acts happy and is loyal to his friends and family. You can also see the change in Juliet; she has gone from doing everything her parents say to do what she wants.  She is also loyal to Romeo and the nurse when she is talking to him for her. She also shows that she is determined and brave for wanting to marry a person from the family they have hated for years. She also shows a lot of bravery when she is willing to take the potion that the friar gives her; not knowing exactly what the potion will do and knowing that she will be placed in the Capulet Family Tomb with all the dead bodies, all for her love for Romeo. When Friar offers Juliet the potion she says “Give me, give me! O tell not of fear” she then says “Love give me strength, and strength shall help afford Farwell, dear father.” This shows that she is brave and that love will pull her through the situation.

        It is clear they have changed after meeting each other. Romeo changes from being depressed and insincere to loyal, happy and a sincere. Juliet changes from being naive and obedient to determined, loyal, brave and disobedient.