Essay on Romeo and Juliet

Submitted By superstudent420
Words: 564
Pages: 3

Romeo, the tragic hero in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is marked by his distinct character flaws and personality. He is a very romantic and impetuous character, but can also be insightful. Romeo’s traits can lead him to make quick decisions that end up with dire consequences.
Romeo is a very romantic character. He loves the idea of being in love as well as all the beauty the world has to offer. He constantly compares Juliet to all the beautiful things in the world: “But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun. Arise fair sun and kill the envious moon, who is already sick and pale with grief that thou, her maid, art more fair than she… It is my lady. O, it is my love!” (2.2.2-10). Romeo’s use of romantic metaphors show he can be romantic to the point where his own friends make fun of him. Benvolio and Mercutio mock how “blindly in love” Romeo is with the idea of being in love, not the actual lover. “Blind is his love and best befits the dark. If love be blind, than love cannot hit the mark. Now he will sit under a medlar tree and wish his mistress were that kind of fruit… O Romeo, that she were, O, that she were” (2.1.33-40).
Romeo can also have an impetuous and almost irrational way of thinking. He doesn’t always think things through which usually results in a terrible consequence such as banishment or even his own death. “My very friend hath got this mortal hurt in my behalf… O sweet Juliet, thy beauty hath made me effeminate and in my temper softened valor’s steel… Away to heaven, respective lenity, and fire-eyed fury be my conduct now!” (3.1.116-129). These traits are Romeo’s main characters flaws which can get him into trouble. Romeo’s irrational way of thinking eventually led to his death. When he found out Juliet was dead he didn’t even think about any other way out than killing himself: “Is it [Juliet’s death] e’en so? Then I defy you stars! I do beseech you, sir, have patience. Your looks are wild and do import some misadventure… Well, Juliet, I will lie with thee tonight… O, mischief thou art