Psychologies

WHY ROMEO AND JULIET GOT IT ALL WRONG!

Some things never cease to amaze me. Is it not strange that, in Western culture, the story of Romeo and Juliet, a couple of naive, confused children, serves as a model for the type of sublime love that’s greater than life itself?

Let’s take a good look at what happens. The story begins like this: Romeo is madly in love with… Rosaline. Yes, Rosaline.

Rosaline? Who is that? Many people forget this detail, but at the beginning of the story Romeo is in love with Rosaline, Juliet’s cousin. Here’s what Romeo says about her:

“The all-seeing sun Ne’er saw her match since first the world begun”
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, ROMEO AND JULIET, ACT 1, SCENE 2

Moments before he meets

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Psychologies

Psychologies1 min read
A Chance To Win £100 Worth Of John Lewis Vouchers * !
Are you a fan of the dossier? Do you love our Heart section, or does the Soul section get you sparking? We strive to make this magazine an uplifting, empowering and inspiring read; a helpful friend and a little ray of sunshine, all rolled into one. B
Psychologies3 min read
Anna Williamson Summer lovin’…
There is nothing that’s guaranteed to up our feelgood factor – and our libido – like a little bit of sunshine! So as we feel the fledging rays of summer this month – with beach holidays and cocktails hovering just over the horizon – I’m taking the fo
Psychologies5 min readPopular Culture & Media Studies
Why Your Smartphone Means You’re Out Of Clean Pants!
Dr Stephanie Fitzgerald is a chartered clinical psychologist, neuropsychologist, keynote speaker, and the author of several books, including Reworked: Putting Health And Happiness At The Centre Of Your Career (John Murray Press, £16.99). @stephfitzwr

Related Books & Audiobooks