Romeo and Juliet: in Love or Hit with Infatuation
Romeo and Juliet: in love or hit with infatuation To the person that has these feelings infatuation and actual love are very difficult to differentiate. Even if these two emotions are very similar they have different effects on ones life. In infatuation usually develops to quickly such as “love at first sight”. On the other hand real love grows moderately and takes time, but the effects last longer. In my opinion this “star struck” couple was simply hit with infatuation not love.
In this Shakespearean story feelings of love are portrayed, when actually most of the events that occur relate to infatuation such as Romeo and Juliet’s instant feelings toward each other. One of the signs of infatuation according to June Callwood, a writer from the Globe and Mail archives, is an instant feeling of affection, “love at first sight”. Romeo and Juliet experienced this when they met in the party held by the Capulets. Even On the balcony Juliet barely knows his name and already she was talking about her “love” for Romeo.
Not only did this “love at first sight” occur quickly, but Romeo had this feeling after the incident with Rosaline. The fact that this event happened to Romeo after the event with Rosaline, only serves to further on support the definition of infatuation. When Romeo met Juliet he was as one would say “on the rebound”, which caused him to fall in the state of infatuation. These along with many other events could have been the cause of Romeo falling for Juliet. Their quick affection for each other didn’t allow them to think things thru and caused them to rush into a relationship they were not ready for.
Another sign of infatuation is the great feeling one has to marry the other person. Romeo and Juliet rushed into a marriage without knowing much about each other. Their quick marriage was an event that might have had a lot to do with their death. This rush into actions without thinking is a result of the effects of infatuation. Some might say that their marriage occurred because they “loved” each other, but research has shown that the relationships that last longest develop slowly.
These long lasting marriages did not occur as quickly like Romeo and Juliet’s, instead they took their time to make sure one is ready. Romeo and Juliet not only married quickly, but most of the time they all they wanted was physical enjoyment. In act 2 scene 2, the balcony scene, Romeo says “O wilt thou leave me unsatisfied? ”. Those who are in real love are patient and don’t just want sex. This dissatisfaction without physical enjoyment is one of the greatest signs of infatuation.
