In Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, the views of love held by the character Romeo contrast sharply with Mercutio's views. The character of Romeo seems to suffer from a sort of manic depression. He is enamored with her sadness, quickly enraptured and easily crushed again on a passionate roller coaster of emotions. Mercutio, on the contrary, is much more practical and balanced. His perceptions are clear and rapid, characterized by precise thinking and careful evaluation. Romeo, true to his character, begins his appearance in the play wallowing in his depression over Rosaline who does not return his love:ROMEO (Act I, Scene I, Lines 185-193) Well, such is the transgression of love. My pain is heavy. in my chest, which you will propagate, to have it lentWith more than yours: this love you have shown adds more pain to too much of mine. Love is a smoke raised with the smoke of sighs; Being purged, a fire sparkling in the eyes of lovers; being vexed like a sea nourished by lovers' tears: what else is there? a very discreet madness, a suffocating gall and a sweet that preserves. The references to "fire" and "sea" are signs that these are lines of passion rather than love. Romeo sees himself as subjective to his situation: “It adds more pain to too much of mine.” and he also wallows in his self-pity. Romeo is forgiven these sins only because he is young, naive and destined to die. If he were an older character, the audience wouldn't forgive him so easily. Mercutio's poise serves to provide a contrast that Romeo can be fond of. If both were depressed, the comedy roster would be unbalanced. MERCUTIO (Act I, Scene IV, lines 23-26) And, to sink into it, you should burden love; Too much oppression for a tender thing. ROMEO Is love a tender thing? it's too rough, too rough, too rowdy and pricks like a thorn. Romeo's perception of love as "rough" is generally due to his response to the events in his life. Mercutio sees love as a "soft thing" and therefore offers this advice:MERCUTIO (Act I, Scene IV, lines 27 and 28) If love is hard on you, be hard on love.;