Romeo
Extended Character Analysis
Romeo is one of the titular characters in Shakespeare’s famed romantic tragedy and Juliet’s young lover. He is the only son of Lord and Lady Montague, nobles of Verona. Although intelligent, he is also immature, impetuous, and reckless. His one focus throughout the play is love, though not necessarily the women to whom he alleges his love. Simply put, he is enamored with the idea of love. Although he tends to be more serious than his friends, he enjoys joking with them, especially Mercutio, in bawdy sexually-laced double entendres, and he acts recklessly in order to live out his romantic fantasies.
At the start of the play, Romeo’s friends notice that he is not acting like himself. They soon realize that Romeo is lovesick. He is madly in love with Rosaline, a character never seen on stage. However, their courtship is doomed to fail, because Rosaline has vowed never to marry. Romeo’s language throughout the early portion of the play demonstrates that he is less enamored with Rosaline than he is with the idea of falling in love. He tries to encapsulate his feelings in romantic sonnets, but his words come out choppy and disingenuous. In an effort to lift Romeo's spirits, Benvolio tells him his feelings are just infatuation brought on by lack of experience with women. Romeo’s friends then encourage him to attend the Capulet's party to get out of his lovesick slump.
At the Capulet's party, Romeo sees Juliet and falls in love with her immediately. Many readers and audiences interpret Romeo’s falling out of love with Rosaline as a sign of his reckless and overly emotional behavior. However, others view his change of heart as a transformation of character. In many ways, Romeo’s attitude towards love evolves from that of a naive, love-sick teenager to that of an adult. During their brief courtship, Juliet recognizes that Romeo’s language follows romantic tropes, overly sentimental cliches, and fantastical metaphors. When Romeo comes to Juliet’s balcony at night and tells her, “Lady, by yonder blessed moon I swear, / That tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops—”, Juliet interjects, “O, swear not by the moon… do not swear at all.” Romeo idolizes Juliet, speaking of her in overly romanticized language and imagining her as an ethereal, magnificent being. He believes she is unattainable and thus otherworldly. Juliet, who is more levelheaded than her rash counterpart, tells him to love her on his own accord and not according to the poetry he has read. When Juliet criticizes him for kissing by “th’ book,” he quickly transforms into a more genuine lover. Romeo’s relationship with Juliet allows—and encourages—him to grow up. His verbose language, once awkward, matures into some of Shakespeare’s most eloquent and passionate poetry.
While Romeo’s idea of love evolves throughout the play, he is still a teenager who makes several tragic mistakes, calling into question the extent to which he develops over the play. Despite showing a measure of self control in his refusal of Tybalt's challenge, Romeo loses his self restraint after Mercutio is stabbed and slays Tybalt, failing to consider how his actions affect his relationship with Juliet. When he cries "O, I am fortune's fool" (III.i.136), he may be realizing the consequences of his actions—a realization that comes too late.
Romeo is then banished for killing Tybalt, separating him from his beloved Juliet. When Friar Laurence tells Romeo that his banishment is better than death, Romeo replies that it is better to die than to be without Juliet. His emotional reaction to Friar Laurence's statement can be interpreted as a demonstration of his passionate commitment to Juliet. Romeo’s capacity for love cements the tragedy at the end of the play: upon seeing Juliet’s body, he immediately drinks his poison and dies beside Juliet, vowing to be with her forever.
Expert Q&A
How does Romeo glorify Juliet's beauty?
Romeo extols Juliet's beauty by likening her to vivid and powerful elements of nature. He likens her to a fire's light, suggesting her beauty holds significant power. He compares her to a star, indicating her beauty is rare and otherworldly. He also describes her as a dove among crows, emphasizing her purity. Furthermore, in Act II, Juliet is compared to the sun, with Romeo implying even the moon is envious of her beauty. Her eyes are compared to stars, so bright that birds would mistake night for day.
What does Romeo mean by "Oh dear account! My life is my foe's debt"?
Romeo's phrase "Oh dear account! My life is my foe's debt" is a metaphor where he equates his love for Juliet to a ledger of debts and payments. After discovering Juliet's identity as a Capulet, his family's sworn enemy, Romeo feels indebted to his enemy for bringing Juliet into his life. Despite his love for her, he fears that his enemy will not accept his love and gratitude, thus keeping him away from Juliet.
Romeo's Love for Rosaline vs. Juliet
In Romeo and Juliet, Romeo's love for Rosaline is characterized by unrequited infatuation, driven by physical attraction and idealistic notions of love. His feelings for Rosaline are superficial, focusing on her beauty and unattainability. In contrast, Romeo's love for Juliet is reciprocated, leading to a deeper connection. Although initially impulsive, their love quickly evolves into a mutual commitment, culminating in both willing to sacrifice everything for each other. This difference highlights the distinction between infatuation and a more profound, albeit fleeting, love.
Romeo's feelings for Rosaline in the beginning of Romeo and Juliet
At the beginning of Romeo and Juliet, Romeo is infatuated with Rosaline. He describes his feelings as intense and melancholic, expressing unrequited love. His obsession with Rosaline's beauty and his despair over her vow of chastity dominate his thoughts until he meets Juliet.
In Romeo and Juliet, how do Romeo's actions affect other characters?
Romeo's impetuous, irresponsible actions directly and indirectly lead to the deaths of Mercutio, Tybalt, Paris, Juliet, and Lady Montague. Although his actions result in tragedy, his love for Juliet ultimately ends the long-standing feud between the Montagues and Capulets.
Reactions to Juliet's apparent death in Romeo and Juliet
In Romeo and Juliet, reactions to Juliet's apparent death are dramatic and filled with grief. The Nurse is the first to discover Juliet and is overcome with sorrow. Juliet's parents, Lord and Lady Capulet, are devastated. Paris mourns the loss of his betrothed, and Friar Laurence is anxious, knowing the truth behind her apparent death.
Why did Romeo kill Paris in Romeo and Juliet?
Romeo kills Paris because Paris accosts him in the Capulet tomb and refuses to leave him alone. Paris doesn't know about Romeo's marriage to Juliet, and so he automatically assumes that Romeo intends to desecrate Juliet's corpse or that of another Capulet. In the ensuing duel, Romeo kills Paris.
Why did Romeo kill Tybalt in Act 3 of Romeo and Juliet and how does this action change the play?
Romeo kills Tybalt in Act 3 of Romeo and Juliet to avenge Mercutio's death, feeling responsible for his friend's demise. This impulsive action leads to Romeo's realization that he is "fortune's fool," setting in motion events that will prevent Romeo and Juliet from being together, thus dramatically altering the course of the play.
Character Development in "Romeo and Juliet"
In Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Juliet evolves from a naive, obedient girl to a defiant, independent young woman. Initially, she is compliant with her parents' wishes regarding marriage but later defies them by secretly marrying Romeo. Romeo, initially lovesick over Rosaline, becomes resolute and proactive after meeting Juliet, disregarding family feuds and societal norms for love. Both characters' developments highlight themes of love, defiance, and emotional growth, with comic relief provided by the Nurse's playful and sometimes bawdy interactions.
Shakespeare's presentation of commitment in Romeo and Juliet
In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare presents commitment through the intense and unwavering love between the titular characters, who defy their families and social conventions. Their dedication is evident in their secret marriage, willingness to sacrifice everything for each other, and ultimate decision to die together rather than live apart, highlighting the depth and tragedy of their commitment.
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