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Romeo And Juliet Character Analysis

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William Shakespeare, the well known playwright and poet, likes to add unique attributes into every major character of his plays such as, possibly, the most known play, Romeo and Juliet. One character that has shown rash, impetuous and impulsive behaviour in the play Romeo and Juliet, is Romeo Montague. Throughout the entire play, Romeo, makes rash decisions that cause significant consequences. These consequences affect many characters and some consequences result in death. Rash and impetuous characters can change the plot of the play and the final outcome of it. An early example of Romeo, acting impetuous is when he goes to Capulet’s orchard to meet Juliet. This shows his rash thinking because Romeo, acknowledges the consequences of him being found in Capulet territory, which is death. Romeo states this in the following quote; “ I have night’s cloak to hide me from their eyes/And but thou love me, let them find me here/My life were better ended by their hate/Than death prorogued, wanting of thy love” (II, ii, 75-78). This quote shows Romeo, willing to risk his life, ignoring the potential consequences, showing his stubborn behaviour. Romeo also shows his rash behaviour in the orchard when he and Juliet, impulsively decide they should marry each other the next day, proven in this quote; “We met, we woo’d, and made exchange of vow/ I’ll tell thee as we pass; but this I pray/ That thou consent to marry us to-day” (II, iii, 62-64). This shows his rash behaviour since he knows that he is a Montague and Juliet is a Capulet and they are family enemies, but wants Friar Laurence to marry them today (Monday in the book) even though he just saw her for the first time yesterday. Because of this decision, dramatic irony stirs since the Capulets and the Montagues are unaware of this, other than the Nurse and Friar Laurence. Another time when Romeo acted impulsively in the play was when Romeo slays Tybalt, who is Lady Capulet’s nephew. He displays the reasoning behind his anger in this quote; “ Alive in triumph! And Mercutio slain!/ Away to heaven, respective lenity/ And fire-eyed fury be my conduct now!” (III, i, 121-123). Romeo acts impulsively in this part of the play because he let his

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