How does Shakespeare present the character of Romeo in Act 1:1-2?

Romeo and Benvolio converse at length where Romeos true character emerges. Shakespeare creates Romeo to be depressed as his first lines are ‘Ay me sad hours seem long” but his attention is diverted as he recognises his father’s exit. Hearing Romeos parents and cousin discuss and express concern over Romeo’s wellbeing was an odd scene for the Elizabethan audience watching the play. This explains why the senior Montagues do not stay to question Romeo, themselves as it was uncustomary for parents and their children to converse. Therefore, the audience understands the reasoning behind lengthy conversation that follows between Romeo and Benvolio; in comparison to modern audiences who would view the sudden exit of Romeos parents as odd, since they were questioning and showing concern about his well-being. The modern audience could interpret the exit of the senior Montagues differently. Shakespeare, then reveals Romeo as a love struck sorrowful soul, who loves one that does not love him back. When Romeo describes his emotions his speech becomes poetic as Shakespeare uses juxtaposition to reveal the romantic in Romeo “O brawling love, O loving hate”. Romeo says "Loves is bright smoke, cold fire, sick health." This shows how he does not understand the concept of love. Shakespeare uses the oxymorons 'bright-smoke, cold-fire, sick-health'  to exhibit the contrast of love and how it has a different meaning to everyone. During the conversation Benvolio gets Romeo to confess his current troubles, and  this is when Romeo reveals that he is in love with one who does not return his affections. However, whilst doing so he complains that Rosaline (Romeos current love interest) is selfish, as she will not pass down her beauty because she wants to become a nun.  XXXX Since Romeo is feeling helpless in love; Benvolio attempts to uplift  his spirits by offering advice on how to get over Rosaline “Examine other beauties”. Romeo is portrayed as a ‘blind’ lover who ‘cannot forget’ his love, as he doesn’t believe that there could be another lady who catches his eye. He doesn’t accept that his love for Roseline is not reciprocated. The scene ends with Romeo rejecting  Benvolio's offer to find another girl to replace Rosaline. This conclusion of the scene strongly  highlights Romeo's immaturity as a lover, as Shakespeare shows the audience that Romeo loves the idea of being in love, but does not fully understand it.

In scene 2 Romeo and Benvolio are discussing the treatment of a broken heart, which is what Shakespeare has diagnosed Romeo with. Benvolio’s remedy consists of proverbial comforts, Romeo expresses his disdain for this treatment by teasing Benvolio with “Your plantain left is excellent for that”. This light banter between the two cousins proves as a useful filler between the previous exchange between Lord Capulet and Paris, and leads in to the next part of the scene where Romeo and the servant converse. There is a distinct change in tone when Romeo and Benvolio run into the Capulets servant. The tone changes  from the light banter between cousins, to the auttorative tone of an heir talking to a servant.  This is evidence that Shakespeare inserts here to show that Romeo has potential to be  a serious, responsible character. Romeo instructs the servant “Stay, fellow, I can read.” As he reads the list out for the servant, here Romeo is portrayed as literate and belonging to the wealthy class, who were the only ones who received formal education in that era. Furthermore, being able to read, also portrays him as intelligent and shows a switch from his forlorn, pitiful self, overshadowing  the previous negative portrayal of his character. The scene ends with new insight into Romeos character, and he decides to go to the party he is forbidden from going to, this reveals his strong willed character “I’ll go along…But to rejoice in splendour of mine own”.

In summary, Shakespeare portrays Romeo as a lonely, private, saddened, naïve and an immature love struck character who was also shown as intelligent and authoritative. The idea that Romeo is not in love with Rosaline but in love with the idea of being in love, can be seen through the afore motioned scenes.  Shakespeare develops him into a strong willed character who made an independent decision based on his emotions in Act 1: 1-2. When using language and context Shakespeare successfully gives the audience insight into the weaknesses of the main character as well as clearly illustrating the differences in the character of Romeo for the audience.