In William Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet," Paris visits Juliet's tomb to mourn her death and to pay his respects. Paris is initially betrothed to Juliet, and he is deeply infatuated with her. His presence at the tomb reveals several aspects of his character and feelings.
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Genuine Affection and Grief: Paris demonstrates deep sorrow and affection for Juliet. His visit indicates that he loved her, despite their engagement being arranged rather than based on mutual feelings. He is visibly grief-stricken by her death, which illustrates his emotional investment in her.
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Sense of Duty: Paris's visit can also be interpreted as a sense of duty. He feels it is his responsibility to honor her memory, reflecting the customs of the time regarding love, loss, and honor. This emphasizes his respectful nature, as he wishes to maintain a connection to Juliet even in death.
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Desperation and Unawareness: Paris’s actions also display a certain level of desperation. He sees Juliet only as a lost love rather than recognizing her true feelings for Romeo. His inability to see beyond his own grief suggests a lack of understanding of Juliet's situation and her actual desires, revealing a somewhat naive aspect of his character.
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Contrast to Romeo: Paris’s visit to the tomb sets up a contrast with Romeo, who enters the tomb with the tragic knowledge of Juliet’s secret and their love. While Paris comes out of respect for a woman he sees as lost to him, Romeo views the tomb as a place of reunion with Juliet, highlighting the differences in their motives and understanding of love.
In summary, Paris’s presence at Juliet's tomb reveals his genuine grief and affection for her, a sense of duty to honor her, and highlights his naivety regarding her feelings and situation, contrasting starkly with Romeo’s profound love and tragic awareness.
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