Throughout all of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, Romeo is unarguably the most reckless character in the play. Despite several warnings being impulsive by Friar Lawrence and other characters, Romeo fails to be mindful of their advice. While it can be observed that Romeo has good intentions, he makes poor and rash decisions that lead to unfortunate circumstances for his friends and everyone around him. His regardless nature is the catalyst for nearly every tragic event that occurs, and ultimately, the deaths of himself and Juliet. There are multiple points where Romeo’s decisions set off a chain of events leading up to his own and Juliet’s deaths. Romeo’s interference in Mercutio and Tybalt’s battle directly caused Mercutio’s death, …show more content…
His priorities are constantly changing, as seen in the beginning by his brief infatuation with Rosaline, as well as later when he kills Tybalt. Romeo knows that killing Tybalt will prevent him from seeing Juliet, as he would not be safe in Verona without the watch trying to kill him. He prioritizes avenging Mercutio over being able to see Juliet and would willingly be banished, a circumstance he likens to death as seen on page 435, lines 21-23 “Is death mis-term’d: calling death banishment, Thou cutt’st my head off with a golden axe, And smilest upon the stroke that murders me.”
Even when Romeo is urged by Balthazar to be patient, and wait for more information before rushing back to Verona when he hears of Juliet’s death, Romeo does not heed his warning. “Balthazar: I do beseech you, sir, have patience: Your looks are pale and wild, and do import some misadventure.” (Pg 468 28-29) This subject of Romeo being cautioned to slow down by multiple characters is a recurrent theme throughout the play. Another prime example can be found in Friar Lawrence's ominous words as Romeo convinces him to officiate his and Juliet’s wedding: “Wisely and slow; they stumble that run fast.” (Pg 468
“O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!” (Act 1, Scene 5). Romeo Montague is remembered most for his passionate way of speaking to his love, Juliet. However, many people do not realize the many immature and impulsive decisions he makes. Two traits Romeo showcases in Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare, are impulsiveness and passion.
Next, Revenge of Romeo leads his banishment and a step closer to death. As Shakespeare writes in Romeo and Juliet, “Now, Tybalt, take the villain back again that late thou gavest me, for Mercutio’s soul”(3.3.130-131). This shows that Romeo is mad and wants to take revenge on Tybalt for killing Mercutio. After Romeo kills Tybalt he gets
Romeo has an impulsive habit; it is clearly seen throughout his time in this piece of art. The events leading up to the time spent with Juliet were quick, even quicker to unlove Rosaline. Ending Tybalt's life also Paris's was another example of his impulse decisions. Romeo could have communicated with these people
Romeo is the cause of his death and many other deaths in Romeo and Juliet because he kills Tybalt and everyone starts to die. “O, I am fortune’s fool!”, Romeo has just killed Tybalt when he says this and he considers himself as a fool for what he did. Romeo is a fool not only for killing Tybalt but for causing the other deaths as well. Romeo is an impulsive person and his impulsive
Romeo and Juliet tell the tragic and messy love story of two lovestruck teenagers. Throughout the play we see how various circumstances aid to Romeo and Juliet's demise, however Juliet assumes the ultimate responsibility for her own death. Due to her impulsive decisions and her failure to think beyond the present, her youthful actions and child-like mindset lead to her suicide at the age of 13. As the play progresses, Juliet’s arranged marriage with Paris is quickly approaching. She starts to become emotionally unstable and impulsive.
In the Romeo and Juliet play I would blame Romeo of being wrong about his actions and decisions he made. Romeo killed about two people and became a problem because he is a Montague and the love of his life is a Capulet. Romeo also didn’t think most things through before doing them. He wouldn’t think about the consequences or trouble he’d be causing. Romeo shouldn’t have made himself the bad guy in this play. Romeo nor Juliet were making the right decisions. Romeo was just breaking the rules of the Montagues and Capulet being separated.
Throughout the play Romeo and Juliet there were many problems that occured. Such as the feud between the Capulets and the Montagues as well as Romeo and Juliet not being able to be together in peace. Romeo and Juliet make very poor decisions over and over again as a result of their “love” when in reality it’s just infatuation, you can be in love with someone after a few days of knowing them, it is something that develops over time as you get to know someone, which neither Juliet or Romeo had with each other. However, Romeo and Juliet should not be completely responsible for their impulsive behavior, there are some things that they should be but, they should not be for most of it.
For instance, he shows his first act of impetuousness after Mercutio has just been killed by Tybalt. As stated by Lois Kerschen: “Killing Tybalt is a rash act that needed not have happened if Romeo had been better able to control himself” (261). Romeo’s rash attitude leads to the death of Tybalt and his banishment from Verona. His banishment from Verona essentially leads to the death of both him and Juliet because he is uninformed about Juliet’s fake sleep. Had Romeo and Juliet not exhibited their flaws, they would without a doubt still be alive.
Romeo wants revenge and fights with Tybalt. In this fight, Romeo kills Tybalt. When Romeo realizes the consequences of his actions, he says that he is “Fortune’s fool” (3.1.142). He believes that he has no control over the killings of Mercutio and Tybalt. However, these events are caused by his own rashness. Romeo chooses to fight with Tybalt and even starts the fight. Romeo fights to avenge his friend’s death. Romeo’s actions are rash because he does not consider the results of his actions. Romeo could resolve the conflict in some nonviolent way, but his mind is fixed on killing Tybalt. Romeo is exiled from Verona because he kills Tybalt. His rashness causes problems for his own family as well as for the Capulets and for the Prince. Romeo’s rashness in killing Tybalt leads to his killing himself.
In my opinion, Romeo and Juliet could have acted less impulsively and taken more time with their decisions. During Romeo’s first encounter with Juliet, he immediately convinces himself that he must marry her. The next morning Romeo tells Friar Laurence this but he responds, “Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast.” (II.iii.96) Unfortunately, Romeo ignores the Friar's words of advice and continues with great haste. On that same day, only hours later, Romeo and Juliet marry each other with the help of the Nurse and Friar Laurence. I believe that Romeo should have listened to the Friar instead of acting so hastily because several complications leading to their death arrive consequently. Romeo was acting on a feeling and ignored all the possible
Friar Lawrence has agreed to marry the couple that day, in the hopes that the marriage will end the feud between the Capulets and Montagues. Romeo is still impatient even after getting what he wants from Friar Lawrence. Romeo immediately says, “O, let us hence; I stand on sudden haste”(2.3.93). Friar responds with, “Wisely, and slow. They stumble that run fast”(2.3.94). This means, don’t be in such a hurry; those who rush end up falling. Later this statement is verified because in the end the two lovers end up deceased. This fast found love and marriage based on impulsive decisions after meeting a few times ultimately lead to their anguish in being separated. Then that anguish led to their unfortunate
Before the end of the novel Tybalt kills Mercutio and runs off. A while later Romeo sees Mercutio’s body and instantly goes looking for Tybalt. Soon later Romeo finds Tybalt and dares a quarrel with him and Tybalt agrees. During their battle Romeo kills Tybalt with a slash and a stab of a sword. I think this is the main reason of the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet because Tybalt’s family gains more hatred for Romeo and declares he will be exiled and shall not return to the city. Soon after Romeo tells the news to
Romeo is the hero figure in this play that shows a character trait that they can’t overcome that eventually leads to their demise. Throughout the play, Romeo is an impulsive and emotional character. One instance where this is illustrated is when he kills Tybalt after Tybalt kills Mercutio. Despite the fact that originally he didn’t want to harm Tybalt because Tybalt became his family after he married Juliet, his fury got the best of him which lead him to slay Tybalt. The occurrence of Romeo being driven by his emotions to the point of death is shown when he poisons himself because he thinks Juliet is dead. He is so overcome with grief that instead of powering through it, his impulse is to commit suicide so he can be closer to Juliet. He doesn’t
Romeo is faced with similar oppositions as Juliet. His family, being sworn enemies to the Capulets, are kept in the dark about his romance with Juliet. Also, when the Capulets begin to perceive of the close relationship between Romeo and Juliet, it makes him a greater target to Capulet men such as Tybalt. There is no doubt as to Romeo’s faithfulness towards Juliet and his desire to do all that is needed in order to have her love, but because of his lack of experience in life, Romeo is not at all faultless. Perhaps the most notable act that sabotaged his relationship with Juliet was his slaying of Tybalt. However honorable and necessary it may have seemed to him at the time, Romeo’s rashness once again rears its ugly head after Mercutio foolishly brings about his own demise. Of course, Romeo immediately regrets his impetuous actions after the grave mistake had already been done as he does many times throughout the story.
Haste encompasses who many of us are today, whether that be finishing homework or even reaching one’s own dreams and ambitions, not many people have the desire to take their time. Several strive for accomplishing what they must in the quickest possible fashion, however this same haste holds the downfall for many of our aspirations. In the play, Romeo and Juliet , William Shakespeare develops the idea that hasty or impulsive actions can drive an individual into insufferable and even dire positions, while also compelling others to grow and learn from such consequences. Shakespeare conveys these ideas by following Romeo’s rash decisions and the consequences of his actions, as well as following how Capulet, Montague and Friar Lawrence were able to evolve.