Why does Benvolio want Romeo to attend Capulets' party, and why does Romeo agree?

is really not
inclined to accompany , but he agrees to enter into the Capulets' celebration so that he can
again see Rosaline, who will be there.

After the illiterate servant of the
Capulets mistakenly asks Romeo to read the invitation that he has been sent to extend to friends
of this family, Benvolio makes the argument with the love-sick Romeo to go with him to this
celebration because there he can compare Rosaline, who has ended their relationship, with the
other maidens and realize that she is not so beautiful as Romeo believes.

At this same ancient feast of Capulets

Sups
the fair Rosaline whom thou so loves

With all the admired beauties of
Verona....

Compare her face with some that I shall show,

And I will make thee think thy swan a crow. (1.2.84-89)

 

Romeo reluctantly agrees to accompany
Benvolio, but only because he will have the opportunity to see Rosaline again.

 

This exchange of Benvolio and Romeo exemplifies
dramaticsince Benvolio's prediction that Romeo will think Rosaline "a crow" and forget
about her actually occurs as Romeo is immediately smitten when he sees . The audience, of
course, recognizes this dramatic irony since they have been told in theof 's love, the
"star-crossed lovers" from the "fatal loins of ...two foes."