Romeo : True Love or Rash Behavior?

Love story. The first story that comes to mind when someone mentions, "love story", many immediately think of Romeo and Juliet, because it is one of the most well known love stories since the Elizabethan Era. Perspectives on love were definitely different compared to modern day; the age you get married, the age it's typical to 'fall in love'. One character in particular who's view on love was very strong was Romeo's. Many people today debate about whether Romeo's views on love express true love, or whether they are just completely rash.

Many people believe Romeo's lines professing his love to Juliet most definitely suggest true love. Love shouldn't be judged by age, because age is just a number, so what does it matter that they are young? It is not like teenagers have limited feelings towards the opposite gender.

According to 2.6.7-8, Romeo says, "Then love-devouring death do what he dare, it is enough I may call her mine." In this line Romeo is saying that when he dies from loving her, he will still consider her his love. This also very much foreshadows their death, however it also deeply expresses his love for her. He is mentioning death which one of the most powerful concepts in the world, and saying that he will still forever love her even when he dies.

Another view point on true love would also be fate. Fate is a large scene that pops up in the book and in the beginning Romeo says that his fate to be with Juliet is in the stars, as well as in the chorus it says that they are star-cross'd lovers. This means that they will definitely fall in love with each other because they are destined to be together.

Another perspective that many people have is that Romeo's lines suggest youthful rashness and immaturity. In the very beginning of the play you find out that Romeo is heartbroken over a girl named Rosaline, and he claims that he still loves her very much. The next scene he lays eyes on Juliet and he immediately declares that he is in love saying after Mercutio asks if he still  has feelings for Rosaline, "With Rosaline? No. I have forgot that name and that name's woe." It's known that when you are depressed or heartbroken you can be impulsive and jump at whatever spark of happiness comes into your path. So here, Romeo sees that Juliet is eyeing him and possibly has feelings for him. He feels re-energized to know that someone does love him and hops at the opportunity of someone to love him, because Rosaline did not. 

As you can see, there are two very different point of views that people have on Romeo's love for Juliet. Some he is definitely in love because it is fate and others say that Juliet was just his rebound from Rosaline. Love is a very difficult concept and is hard to interpret in most cases. Especially when you're a teenager.