The idea of love that is expressed by Romeo is the most important idea in Act. 1 because it displays the ambiguity behind the meaning of love. Romeo describes the grief that unrequited love has caused him: “‘Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs; Being purged, a fire sparkling in lovers’ eyes’” (23). By using the metaphor that love is a fume made from sighs, Romeo implies that love is a result of sadness; the comparison to fumes also hints that love is ambiguous and mysterious. Romeo then speaks of the smoke of love being cleansed or purged of impurities. This is essentially the gracious side of love and one where feelings of attraction are mutual between two people. This side is always mentioned and thought of when love is spoken of, …show more content…
What is it else? A madness most discreet, A choking gall, and a preserving sweet’” (23). This other side of love is of sadness and describes unrequited love. There is frustration as feelings are not mutual and the result of this are pools of tears that accumulate over time to form a sea of sorrow. Thus, by falling victim to this side of love, Romeo perceives love as either a weapon that chokes and brings people down. The other side is to view love as a long-lasting bliss. This happiness is not a tremendously gratifying experience, however, as Shakespeare uses the word “sweet” rather than a more powerful or deliberate word. There is a sharp difference between the weight of the word “choking” and “sweet”. Romeo, therefore, believes that more often than not, love is unrequited and drains people of their lives. Another important idea is that Romeo thinks of love as a sensual experience. This is seen when Romeo says about his love, “‘She’ll not be hit With Cupid’s arrow. She hath Dian’s wit, And, in strong proof of chastity well armed’” (23). By “hit” Romeo means that she will not accept any flirting or seduction and will not be tranced into his charm to shave sex with