Romeo And Juliet-Act 1

Act I was my first experience with really reading Shakespeare. I had read snippets before but never a whole act. Throughout the Act, I found all of the word usage and the double meanings to be very interesting. At first, it was a bit hard to understand all of the language Shakespeare used, but now I feel like a pro! I love how romantic much of the language sounds and how language is viewed as an art in this play. The way in which people speak throughout this play is very interesting to me and I like how everything has double meanings and the simplest of things have deeper meanings. I think it is good that we, as a class, have the CliffNotes version because I think a lot of people had feelings similar to mine. If I were to be reading this outside of school without the CliffNotes, some important things would not stand out to me and they would be lost throughout my reading. Throughout most of Act I, Romeo professes his very strong love for Rosaline. He speaks of love in a very sincere, passionate and emotional fashion. The way he speaks of love in the beginning seems like it is true, never ending love. However, I also thought that the person he was speaking of loving was Juliet. Before reading this in class, I had never even known that a third person existed. However, I like that Rosaline is in this story because I think it gives more meaning to the love between Romeo and Juliet. If Romeo claims to love Rosaline this much and he forgets about her for Juliet, then the love he feels for Juliet must be monumentally stronger. Some might argue that Romeo doesn't know what love is and only "loves" people based on looks, but I don't think this is true. Yes, it is crazy how he loves Juliet right after first laying eyes on her, but sometimes it can be the smallest things to make one another love each other. The reality that they fell in love at first sight makes their love seem like it is meant to be and neither of any control over it. I like this fact of the story and I don't view Romeo as confused, or a person of "player" like qualities at all. But rather, the momentous switch from loving Rosaline to Juliet gives the love between Romeo and Juliet even more power, romance and passion. I have enjoyed reading Act I and look forward to continue reading this play!