Character on the couch: Romeo
Each week we subject one of drama's great characters to psychoanalysis. Today Romeo is played by Rupert Evans. The analyst is Leo Benedictus.
How are you doing this week, Romeo?
I've been better. I'm far away from my love.
Ah. Does this distress you?
Very much. Being banished is never a nice thing, and I'm waiting for a note, which is taking its time. It's being sent by Friar Lawrence and will contain news about Juliet, my wife of two days.
You're married?
Oh yeah, I got married this week. I've got married, killed a bloke, been banished, cried a lot and been to a party. It's been an eventful week.
It certainly has.
I saw her across the dancefloor, and after the dance I went up to her and expressed love for her hand.
I see. And how did she react?
She felt the same way.
That's lucky.
Well, some would call it luck, others would say it was destiny. Afterwards, we agreed to get married the next day.
Did you not consider living together for a while?
I don't think our families would have really approved. They're rivals, you see.
And yet you hope to be happily married together one day?
Well, I hope that when the animosity has calmed down we'll tell the two families about how we married, and hopefully that will bring them together. I just don't know if I can live without her for that long.
Maybe you'll change your mind in time. You used to think Rosaline was the one.
It was different with Rosaline. But this time, when our eyes met across the dancefloor there was something inside which I can't explain. It was the most awesome experience ever.
Well it's all in the air after Valentine's Day, isn't it?
Yes, sadly I couldn't see her in person, but I sent a small bouquet.
I'm sure she'll be touched.
· Romeo and Juliet opens at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, on April 6. Box office: 0870 609 1110.