Romeo and Juliet meet in Act I, Scene 5. They initially have no idea who they are interacting with as they fall in love in a matter of minutes. It has often been referred to as "love at first sight." Impressively, Shakespeare employs a sonnet (a 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme) to portray their initial discussion as Romeo claims he is like a pilgrim worshipping at a religious altar when he holds Juliet's...
Romeo and Juliet meet in Act I, Scene 5. They initially have no idea who they are interacting with as they fall in love in a matter of minutes. It has often been referred to as "love at first sight." Impressively, Shakespeare employs a sonnet (a 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme) to portray their initial discussion as Romeo claims he is like a pilgrim worshipping at a religious altar when he holds Juliet's hand and then kisses her lips. Their private words are interrupted by the Nurse who tells Juliet her mother wishes to speak with her. While Juliet is away, Romeo inquires of the Nurse as to Juliet's identity. The Nurse tells him,
Marry, bachelor,
Her mother is the lady of the house,
And a good lady, and a wise and virtuous.
I nursed her daughter that you talked withal.
I tell you, he that can lay hold of her
Shall have the chinks.
Romeo realizes that Juliet is a Capulet, the age old rival of his family. He quickly retreats from the party under urging from Benvolio. He returns, of course, to find Juliet on her balcony in the next Act. He never seems to actually contemplate the consequences of his love for Juliet in the rush of events which will lead to their marriage.
While Romeo is leaving, Juliet points him out to the Nurse who tells her that he is a Montague. She responds by admitting her love for him but also her despondency that he should be an enemy to her family:
My only love sprung from my only hate!
Too early seen unknown, and known too late!
Prodigious birth of love it is to me
That I must love a loathèd enemy.
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