Insincerity of Romeo's love/ feelings

Question 1

Rosaline will not “ope her lap to saint- seducing gold”

Answer 1

Romeo INDIRECTLY calls Rosaline a “saint” here- Links to how he called Juliet a “saint” and shows that perhaps this a cliche with no real genuine intent.

Question 2

Forgets about Rosaline really quickly though he says “how should I forget to think” when told to forget her before

Answer 2

Shakespeare MIGHT have been questioning the legitimacy of the intense love of Petracrchan lovers by showing Romeo as such in the beginning- Romeo is seemingly inconsolable about Rosaline but forgets her so quickly

Question 3

“how should…

Answer 3

…I forget to think”

Question 4

“I ne’er saw true beauty till this night”

Answer 4

Romeo’s response to seeing Juliet- He meets Juliet only a few scenes after his laments about Rosaline so he is PRESENTED as fickle and the audience are tempted to not take his new feelings seriously.

Question 5

Religious imagery in Romeo and Juliet’s first meeting?

Answer 5

Shakespeare USES STRUCTURE by placing their encounter not long after Romeo’s lament about Rosaline to EMPHASIZE the purity and sincerity of their love compared to slightly sexually driven love Romeo had for Rosaline

Question 6

Romeo’s soliloquy when he sees Juliet at her window contains characteristics of the Elizabethan love poet form, blason.

Answer 6

Romeo focuses on parts of Juliet’s body and worships them like she is an ethereal being.
Shakespeare criticises this in Sonnet 130 so this could be a way to present Romeo’s feelings as unrealistic and idealistic

Question 7

“I ne’er…

Answer 7

…saw true beauty till this night”