What is Love?

Paper Summary:

This paper, in the search for definition, explains that the Greek word agape (love) seems to have been virtually a Christian invention. The author cites another type of love, affection or friendship love also know as phileo. The author finds many types of love in "Romeo and Juliet", in which Shakespeare managed to combine love of God with love for humans. Long quotations.

From the Paper:

"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's and Lady Capulet's definition of love is in appearance. It is obvious 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. Benvolio's definition of love shows the audience two things about Benvolio: he is a womanizer and he has never before experienced "true love.""

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