In William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," when Romeo tells Paris that he loves him better than himself, it is a moment charged with irony and deep emotion. This occurs in Act 5, Scene 3, when the two encounter each other at Juliet's tomb. Paris believes he is there to mourn Juliet and protect her resting place, while Romeo is there to see Juliet, unaware that she is actually alive in a death-like sleep.
When Romeo tells Paris, “I love thee better than myself,” it reflects several layers of meaning. Firstly, it highlights Romeo's deep affection for Juliet, as he cannot withstand the thought of living without her. His words can be interpreted to mean that he is willing to put Paris's needs (in this context, his supposed mourning for Juliet) above his own feelings. Moreover, it reflects the complexity of Romeo's character at this moment; he is torn between honoring Paris's claim to Juliet and his own profound love for her.
The line emphasizes the theme of love versus honor, illustrating how Romeo's love for Juliet transcends rivalry and even leads him to a place of seeming selflessness. Paris, however, misinterprets this sentiment, believing it to apply to himself in the context of their confrontation over Juliet's love.
This situation encapsulates the tragic implications of mistaken identity and love's intertwining with violence, which are prevalent themes throughout the play. Ultimately, Romeo's statement reveals the depth of his turmoil, caught between love and the external pressures of societal expectations.