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The story of Romeo and Juliet is often regarded as the greatest love story of all time. This is truly a sad reflection on our society and its view of love. True love is inherently unselfish and it will induce the very best of a person's character. Considering these truths about love, one may see a harsh contrast between them and the behaviors displayed by the hero and the heroine of this play. Therefore, it may be concluded that the couple's supposed love' was in actuality infatuation, obsession or lust.

As the story begins, we find that Juliet is the third in a succession of ladies in which Romeo has expressed intense romantic interest. He actually meets Juliet at a party he has attended strictly for the purpose of pursuing his current infatuation, Rosalind. The moment he sees Juliet, all thoughts of Rosalind leave his head and he redirects his attentions instantaneously, immediately declaring his attraction and making what were considered very serious advances at that time. Already Romeo has shown himself to be inconsistent and thoughtless. Had he truly loved Rosalind, he would not have been swayed so easily by the mere sight of another woman. Additionally, where a thoughtful suitor would have given a young lady proper attentions, he overwhelms Juliet in a way that is disrespectful and careless by engaging her, both emotionally and physically, on a whim.
Observing the relationship between Romeo and Juliet, it is evident that neither of them experiences any type of real satisfaction or happiness from the time they meet. They do, however, experience feelings of excitement, passion and desire, as well as depression, anxiety, fear, rage and desperation. The latter almost leading Romeo to suicide, had he not been stopped by the Friar, when things were not going well in his relationship. This begs the question, who was he thinking of when he nearly killed himself because of the situation he placed himself in? He could not see past his own misfortunes to consider the effect his actions would have on the woman he supposedly loved. Certainly a man who truly loved a woman and sought her affections would not be able to think of such an action without weighing the effect this would have on her or her best interest. This is the nature of true love; it considers the object of one's affection before oneself. Romeo's only thoughts were of his own pain, and how to end it in the quickest and surest way. He was not thinking of Juliet at all, except as a means to his own personal happiness.
Throughout the short relationship, Romeo makes little to no attempt to court Juliet is a manner that would have been acceptable at the time. Though the two families were sworn enemies, an effort still might have been made had he had true concern for Juliet's familial relationships. In stead, Lord and Lady Capulet end up disowning Juliet when she confesses her love for Romeo to them. In her desperation, she fakes her own death and this ultimately leads to their fates. They both commit suicide, betraying their selfishness and shallowness even in death.
All of this might have been prevented had Romeo had the strength of character to be capable of real, unselfish love, and had the couple not been aided in their foolishness by two thoughtless and weak-minded adults (the nurse and the friar) that failed miserably in their duty to guide them wisely. Therefore, it is clear that love was not the driving force here. This unfortunate end that two young people came to was not the product of a true, unselfish devotion. It was the product of selfish romanticism. Romeo was not in love with Juliet, he was merely in love with the thought of being in love.

Learn more about this author, Leslie Comstock.
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