Romeo and Juliet Group

Question:

hsmluv
hsmluv
Student
High School - 9th Grade

In Act III, scene 1 of "Romeo and Juliet," why does Romeo call himself "fortune's fool"?

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Posted by hsmluv on Sunday May 4, 2008 at 8:03 AM and tagged with act 3, characters, quotes, romeo, romeo and juliet.

Answers:


  1. podunc Teacher
    College - Sophomore

    eNotes Editor

    Romeo makes this comment immediately after killing Tybalt, Juliet's cousin. Tybalt kills Mercutio after Mercutio defends Romeo's honor, and then it is Romeo's duty to fight Tybalt. After he has killed Tybalt, he realizes that he has killed all hope for reconciliation between the Montagues and the Capulets and thus, any chance that his marriage to Juliet will be accepted by their families. For Shakespeare, fortune means something along the lines of "fate" or "chance," so by saying he is "fortune's fool," Romeo is bewailing his incredibly bad luck.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/romeo/

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    Posted by podunc on Sunday May 4, 2008 at 8:29 AM

  2. pmiranda2857
    pmiranda2857 Teacher
    High School - 10th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Romeo refers to himself as fortune's fool because his love and marriage to Juliet have filled his head so much that he does not pay full attention when he encounters Tybalt in the street.  He is full of bliss for his great fortune and wants to stop the fight, but Tybalt is of no such mind.

    When Mercutio is killed by Tybalt at a moment that takes Romeo by surprise he admits that his love for Juliet has made him soft.

    Rom."This gentleman, the prince's near ally,
    My very friend, hath got his mortal hurt
    In my behalf; my reputation stain'd
    With Tybalt's slander, Tybalt, that an hour
    Hath been my kinsman. O sweet Juliet!
    Thy beauty hath made me effeminate,
    And in my temper soften'd valour's steel!" (Act III, Scene I)

    Sources:
    http://www.absoluteshakespeare.com/plays/romeo_juliet

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    Posted by pmiranda2857 on Sunday May 4, 2008 at 9:07 AM


  3. brandih

    eNotes Editor

    This quote is also discussed on our free Shakespeare Quotes section.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/shakespeare-quotes/oh-am-fortune-s-...

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    Posted by brandih on Monday May 5, 2008 at 3:13 PM