Act 1, Scene 1: Rosaline's Rejection

Host: So Benvolio, we spotted you and Romeo talking yesterday, what's up with that?

Benvolio: Romeo's just been upset recently, shutting himself out and all.

Host: And why is that? if I may ask.

Benvolio: Well, he fell in love with this girl, Rosaline- a CAPULET. Can you believe it?

Host: And?

Benvolio: Well she obviously rejected him- any Capulet would. Nobody wants to get in the middle of the struggle between the Montagues and the Capulets like that- it's a death wish.

Host: But it seems as though Romeo doesn't care. Why is that?

Benvolio: Romeo just follows his heart wherever it leads him, and doesn't care whether his parents don't approve. If Rosaline would have accepted him, I don't even want to imagine the mess THAT would make.

Host: And now? Why doesn't Romeo move on?

Benvolio: That's what I told him: "to examine other beauties", but he's completely lovesick and still hung up on Rosaline. He keeps making these crazy metaphors, "love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs"- it's terrible, I'm genuinely worried about him. Rosaline isn't the only woman in the world, and Romeo's still so young! He has the opportunity to meet someone who ACTUALLY loves him back, and who ISN'T a Capulet. But Romeo is so blinded by love, that he can't even understand what I've been trying to tell him.

Host: And, what do you think Romeo is doing now?

Benvolio: He's probably at home, locking his doors and blinding his windows, shutting himself out again. Speaking of which, I should go check on him...