In William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," upon learning of his banishment from Verona after killing Tybalt, Romeo reacts with despair and anguish. He feels that banishment is worse than death because it means separation from Juliet, whom he loves deeply. In Act 3, Scene 3, Romeo expresses his feelings of hopelessness and considers the idea of living without Juliet to be unbearable.
He says that he would rather be dead than live in a world where he cannot be with her. Romeo's emotional turmoil is evident as he feels that being away from Juliet would sever his joy and purpose in life. He believes that without her, his existence is meaningless, highlighting the depth of his love and the extreme nature of his youthful passion. This moment emphasizes the central theme of love and its intense, often destructive power in the play.