Throughout the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet various types of "love" are displayed. Benvolio believes women are interchangeable, while, at the beginning
Romeo believes love is pain. At the beginning, Juliet does not even have a definition of love. Paris and Lady Capulet's definition of love is in appearance. It is obvious and clearly shown to us that Shakespeare wants the audience to believe that the only "true" or "real" love is the love that exists between Romeo and Juliet. The first type of love the audience is introduced to is the "interchangeable" love of Benvolio. According to Benvolio, a man should "love" a woman for only the duration of their relationship. If their relationship should end, the man should feel no grief. If the woman rejects the man initially, he should still feel no grief. In either situation, the man should simply start a relationship with another woman.
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Romeo and Juliet with Friar Laurence
Romeo and Juliet, Act I-Scene_3. Lady Capulet and ...Benvolio's definition of love shows the audience two things about Benvolio: he is a womanizer and he has never before experienced "true love." The next definition of love comes from Romeo, but before the time he met Juliet.
According to his definition, love (or, rather, not returned love) is pain. He hides from the sun due to the "love" he feels, and does not act like "himself." I believe Romeo is both right and wrong: not returned love is pain, but Romeo does not truly love, as he is merely infatuated by a woman.
The next definition of love comes from Juliet, who, before meeting Romeo, did not even have a definition of love. She appears not to know what love is, and, for that matter, does not seem to care. She remains ignorant until she meets Romeo.
Another type of "love" we are exposed to...