In Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," Romeo initially desires to attend the Capulet party for a few reasons. First, he is infatuated with Rosaline, who is attending the party, and he hopes to see her there. His love for Rosaline is unrequited, and he is heartbroken over her indifference to him. Attending the party offers him a chance to see her and perhaps rekindle their relationship.
However, another significant reason for Romeo's desire to go is the influence of his friend Benvolio. Benvolio encourages Romeo to go to the party to compare Rosaline to other women, suggesting that he can help Romeo move on from his infatuation.
Ultimately, Romeo's attendance at the Capulet party leads him to meet Juliet, which drastically shifts the course of his emotions and the play's narrative. Thus, while his initial motivation is tied to Rosaline, it sets the stage for the pivotal love story between him and Juliet.
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