Who loved Juliet more—Romeo or Paris?

Though the answer might seem obvious at first glance, debating whether Romeo or Paris loved Juliet more in William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet is a complicated question. Many may believe that Paris's love for Juliet cannot be greater than Romeo's because he wishes for an arranged marriage. Yet, in fact, Paris's love was greater than Romeo's.

Peel away the romance, and Romeo and Juliet is a story about family. Though the play informs the audience...

Though the answer might seem obvious at first glance, debating whether Romeo or Paris loved Juliet more in William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet is a complicated question. Many may believe that Paris's love for Juliet cannot be greater than Romeo's because he wishes for an arranged marriage. Yet, in fact, Paris's love was greater than Romeo's.

Peel away the romance, and Romeo and Juliet is a story about family. Though the play informs the audience of Romeo and Juliet's death in the very first scene, the marriage of the two 'star-crossed lovers' is a glimmer of hope that the feud between the Montagues and Capulets will end. Two warring families will become one. Yet Romeo kills Tybalt, his brother-in-law, spurring the story towards its deadly conclusion. Though it is understandable that Romeo would be in a rage over the murder of his friend, Mercutio, he makes no attempt to tell Tybalt about his marriage or spare Tybalt's life during the fight. If Romeo cannot love Juliet's family, just how strong is his love for Juliet? 

Though Paris appears only a handful of times throughout the play, his death at the hands of Romeo proves his love for Juliet. For starters, the scene begins with Paris visiting the Capulet tomb in order to see the body of Juliet. His soliloquy suggests that he will return each night to weep. When Romeo appears, Romeo instigates the violence that leads to Paris's death. Dying, Paris pleads that Romeo bury him with Juliet. Though this scene is overshadowed by the deaths of Romeo and Juliet moments later in the play, Paris's death gives us a clear view of the love he felt for Juliet.