At the beginning of the play we learn about Romeo from Montague that Romeo’s love for Roseline is not true love at all, and it demonstrates that it is unhealthy and destructive. This can be seen through the metaphor, “locks fair daylight out”. Here, the word “locks” suggest that he is very lonely and he is isolated, and suggests to audience that he is feeling alone and abandoned.
Furthermore, from Benvolio, we learn that Romeo has unrequited love for Roseline. This can be seen in the lines “and stole into the court of the wood” suggests to the reader that he loves Rosaline enormously but she does not love him back.
More conclusive evidence of this is shown by the use of the simile which Lord Montague uses to describe Romeo. Montague says that Romeo is like “a bud with an envious worm”. This is showing the audience that he has an unrequited love for Roseline. Here the word ‘bud’ represents Roseline who does not like worms. However, the words “envious worm” demonstrates to the reader that that Romeos love for Roseline will never disappear.
Following Lord Montague conversation with Benvolio, Romeo arrives on stage and explains how he feels. Shakespeare portrays Romeos mood of anger and depression through the use of oxymoron. This can be seen in the image “cold fire”. Here the word ‘cold’ suggests that Romeo is isolated and upbeat. On the other hand ‘fire’ suggests that Romeo is young and passionate. This, the oxymoron demonstrates to the audience that Romeo keeps on having ups and downs and that his love for Rosaline is not true because it does not light up but it is very cold, he is very confused by his extreme feelings.
Similarly, the oxymoron, ‘Sick Health’, illustrates that Romeo is very troubled because Roseline does not return his love. On the other hand the word ‘sick’ suggests that Romeo is unwell. However, the word ‘health’ suggests that there is still hope for Romeo to be better and happy.
However, when Romeo meets Juliet, he falls in love with Juliet at first sight; we see this in the image, “palm to palm”. This suggests that Romeo and Juliet are both like each other.
Moreover Shakespeare uses the poetic structure to show that Romeo and Juliet have true love we see this in the rhyme, “saint do not move, though grant for prayers sake” .which Juliet says straight after Romeo say “then move not while my prayers effect I take”. This symbolizes that they are one because they both speak the rhyme in the rhyming couplet. They both have a word in their sentence that rhymes “take” and “sake”. This again shows that they are destined to be together.
When Romeo speaks to Juliet he compares her hand to a holy place (“shrine”) which he may defile (“profane”) with his hand. He compares his lips to pilgrims that can “smooth” away the “rough touch” of the hand with a kiss. This suggests that Romeo’s friends and family are shocked and disappointed with Romeo because he called a truce to the fighting.
After his marriage, Romeo seeks his friend in the square. At first Shakespeare presents him as a jovial, beaming, peaceful person. We see this in the lines: “I do protest I never injured thee bet love thee better”. Here the word “love” suggests that he is more matured to tell tybalt that he does not want to fight anymore and the use of repetition. Romeo friends and family are shocked and disappointed with Romeo because he called a truce to the fighting.
However, Romeo is forced to change when he sees the death of his best friend Mercutio. Shakespeare illustrates this is seen through the words “This day’s black fate on more days both depend, this but begins the use others must end” This demonstrates to the reader that he is responsible for Mercutio death. Similarly, the words, “now, Tybalt, take the ‘villain’ back again” this portrays that Romeo’s immature side has been revealed , because when he first came he was calm but know he is back to normal because she uses the word’ villain’. This makes Romeo guilty and angry with the result that he was holding back Mercutio when he wanted to defend himself.
