Bella Rosenberg

English 9
Mr. Hakim
6 May 2015
Romeos Character Changes
[HOOK] This classic love story, Romeo and Juliet, written by
William Shakespeare, has some brilliant character development.
Romeo and Juliets love is forbidden because of a feud between the two
families. It is because of this feud that Romeos very complex character
develops. Throughout Shakespeares The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet,
Romeos complex character changes. He goes from a depressed
romantic to a happy lover to suicidal, which tends to be human nature
when one does not get what they want.
Through indirect characterization, it is clear that Romeo in 1.1 of
Shakespeares The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is irrationally
depressed. Romeo is hopelessly in love is Rosaline, a girl who does not
return his love. Romeo falls in love with Rosaline at first sight, thinking
it is true love, which is irrational. Romeos cousin Benvolio, and
Romeos parents discuss his depressed state and Lord Montague says,
Many a morning hath he there been seen,/With tears augmenting the
fresh mornings dew,/Adding to clouds more louds with his deep sighs;
(1.1.139-41). Even Lord Montague notices Romeos depressing actions.
The imagery of the tears augmenting the fresh mornings dew

expresses that Romeo is depressed for an irrational reason. The idea

that Romeos sighs and tears are a part of nature, just like the nature
that Shakespeare illuminates in his imagery, represents Romeos very
character: that is, he is depressed and reacts to love seems to be an
innately part of who he is. As Romeo continues to talk to Benvolio,
Romeo continues with the theme of nature by saying Love is a smoke
raised with the fume of sighs;/Being purged, a fire sparkling in lovers
eyes;/Being vexed, a sea nourished with lovers tears (1.1.202-04).
The metaphor of comparing love to smoke represents that his irrational
love is making him depressed. Also, the simile that love is a fire
expressed how in love Romeo is. Romeos irrational depression is
shown through reactions from other characters, also through his own
actions of walking in the woods at night and not wanting to be found.
Through indirect characterization, we can see that Romeo is
depressed, in the first scene of The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet.
In comparison to Act One, Romeos character has changed;
Romeo is happier than he was, but still remains conflicted. Though
Romeos character changes, the feud between the Capulets and the
Montagues is still occurring. In the famous balcony scene of Act Two,
Romeo and Juliet discuss the conflict of their names. Romeo is willing
to rid himself of his name for Juliet by saying, My name, dear saint, is
hateful to myself,/Because it is an enemy to thee. Had I it written, I
would tear the word. (2.2.61-63). The motif of names represents

Romeos willingness to change his name quickly based upon his

newfound happiness with Juliet. In this single moment, Romeo quickly
changes from his love of Rosaline to his love of Juliet. Before, Rosaline
does not return Romeos affection whereas Juliet does. Later, Romeos
mood continues to improve as evidence of a duel of wits he has with
Mercutio, starting off with Mercutio saying, The slip, sir, the slip. Can
you not conceive? (2.4.51). Romeo willingly goes on with this battle
whereas if he were depressed, like in Act One, he would not have.
Throughout Act Two the change in Romeos character is evident that he
is happier, however remains conflicted about his love for Juliet.
In Acts 3 to 5, Romeos character changes to suicidal and upset. The fight that
occurs in 3.1 results in Tybalt and Mercutios death. Tybalt kills Mercutio, inciting
Romeos thirst for revenge. In his revenge, Romeo kills Tybalt, a Capulet, resulting in his
banishment from Verona. Romeo is extremely upset by this because he will no longer be
able to see Juliet. Juliet is also upset because of Romeos banishment and Tybalts death
by Romeos hand. Juliet questions Romeos character in 3.2 in her monologue: O
serpenthearthidwithafloweringface!(3.2.74). Shakespeares paradoxes and
oxymorons demonstrate that Romeo may be handsome but has an evil heart. Throughout
the rest of the play, Romeo and Juliet become suicidal because they cannot see each
other. Juliet is in a dilemma of an arranged marriage to Count Paris, but she is already
married to Romeo. To avoid this, Juliet and Friar Laurence fake Juliets death. A servant
of Romeos goes to Mantua, where Romeo is exiled, and tells Romeo of Juliets death.
Romeo then decides to go back to Verona and devises a plan to kill himself. Once Romeo

reaches the monument he states, The time and my intents are savage, wild,/More fierce
and more inexorable far/Than empty tigers or the roaring sea (3.5.41-44). This has a
double meaning. The audience knows that Romeo is planning on committing suicide,
however the servant, at whom this is directed, does not. The comparison between
Romeos intentions and a hungry tiger manifests Romeos vicious plan.
[CONCLUSION]