Debate Response: Romeo's Youthful, Rash Behavior

Debate Question: To what degree do Romeo's words suggest true love or youthful, rash behavior?

I think Romeo's words and actions convey his young age and rash decisions.  He did not act out of love, but out of his teenage craze.  Romeo fell in love with Juliet for her beauty, not for who she truly is.  True love does not have a definition, but it involves emotional connections.  Romeo and Juliet hardly spoke to one another before they declared their "love" to each other. 

                                   

Romeo conveys his rash behavior through his words.  For example, in act 2 scene 6, lines 7 through 8, he states "Then love-devouring death do what he dare, it is enough I may call her mine."   Here, Romeo makes a foolish statement declaring that he would much rather die than not have Juliet by his side.  I think this line proves Romeo's rash behavior; he is so young and has so much life to live, but he would rather die than not be with a girl he only met a few hours previously.  I also think that because Romeo was so devastated from his heartbreak, he jumped at the chance of being with another beautiful girl.

Also, in act 2 scene 4, lines 48 through 49, Romeo states "With Rosaline?  No.  I have forgot that name and that name's woe."  Here, Romeo says that he has already forgotten Rosaline and all of the sadness that she caused.  Before, Romeo was so depresses and heartbroken because Rosaline did not love him back, but now that he has seen another beautiful girl he has forgotten her.  This also makes me question the depth of Romeo's "love" for Juliet.  Romeo's age makes me think that he only has these such strong feeling for Juliet because he knows that she share the same feeling, unlike Rosaline.

In conclusion, Romeo acted foolish and irrational.  His age played a big factor in his words.  I think love is progressed over a period of time, not over a span of a few hours.  Since Romeo and Juliet were so young, their relationship began because they were in love with the idea of each other; they were both attractive.  Although, most relationships do begin with the interest in physical feature, the word love doesn't erupt until after an emotional connection is shared.