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Lucy Liu
Mr. Hakim
ENG 112
7 May 2015
Romeo and Juliet: an Exploration of Romeos Character Development
Fate. Destiny. Fortune. All three of these forces are beyond human capabilities to control.
Romeo and Juliet, a timeless tale by none other than Shakespeare himself, tells of a story of two
young lovers who are victims of their own fate. One might find a love story common nowadays,
but Shakespeare was one of the first playwrights to combine tragedy and romance. Romeo and
Juliet, a tragic love story by Shakespeare, revolves around two main characters, Romeo and
Juliet, and the conflict between their families. Romeo and Juliet, whose families are caught in
bloodshed, end up falling in love, and secretly get married. Romeo, one of the protagonists of the
story, has a constantly changing, yet somewhat stable personality. As the two young lovers try to
avoid their fate, the involvement of their families feuding results in their suicide. Throughout the
play, Shakespeare characterizes Romeo a dramatic individual who reacts to the fateful events
around him, and as a result, his choices ultimately lead him to his demise.
In 1.1, Shakespeare characterizes Romeo, a dramatic and conflicted individual who
strives for Rosalines love, using indirect characterization demonstrated through oxymorons and
allusions. When Benvolio, Romeos cousin, approaches Romeo and asks him about the cause for
his depression, he tells him it is about love, and then dramatically states, Why then, O brawling
love! O loving hate!/O anything, of nothing first create! (1.1.186-87). Shakespeares use of
oxymorons, especially during demonstrates Romeos state of confusion and conflict, as shown
through his dialogue/speech. The contradictory statement that love is brawling illustrates that

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love is not that simple. Even though brawling love contradicts itself, it is not uncommon to see
people say that love also involves conflict, although it might not seem like it at first.
Shakespeares use of allusions also enhances the development of Romeos character through his
dialogue: Well, in that hit you miss. Shell not be hit/With Cupids arrow. She hath Dians wit
(1.1.222-23). Romeo refers to two Roman gods Cupid, the god of love, and Diana, the goddess
of chastity, hunt, and the moon. The use of these allusions emphasize Romeos dramatic speech
and sorrowful mood as he compares his love interest to Diana, a goddess, who remains chaste. It
is as if Rosaline is a goddess she is beautiful, yet too far for Romeo to reach. Benvolios
reaction to Romeos distraught and dramatic exclamations results in Benvolio suggesting Romeo
to find another woman. His drama seems to seek attention from others as he talks of how broken
he is
In Act Two, Romeo remains the dramatic individual that Shakespeare depicts in Act One.
At the same time, Romeos character evolves from a broken, hopeless romantic to a cheerful,
young man who is seeking love. In Act One, he appears to be broken and dramatic, but when he
meets Juliet at the end of Act One, his heart is mended and he is once again yearning the love of
a beautiful woman. However, he still exaggerates when expressing his feelings. Before, he stated
that he would never find someone like Rosaline, but he ends up finding Juliet. Through Romeos
dialogue, Shakespeare demonstrates to us that Romeo is dramatic and expressive of his love even
when he is not depressed: He jests at scars that never felt a wound./But soft! What light through
yonder window breaks?/It is the East, and Juliet is the sun! (2.2.1-3). As 2.2 progresses, he
compares Juliet to more beautiful objects. He also says that Mercutio makes jokes at his scars
from Rosaline he is dramatic as he speaks. Although Romeo is no longer broken, he still is very
dramatic when he talks to others. He dramatically describes his heartbreak, immediately falls for

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Juliet, and gets over Rosaline in the split second when he first met Juliet. When he talks to Friar
Laurence, he tries to talk in riddles to confuse the Friar, most likely for dramatic effect: Ill tell
thee ere thou ask it me again./I have been feasting with mine enemy,/Where on a sudden one
hath wounded me/Thats by me wounded. Both our remedies/Within thy help and holy physic
lies/I bear no hatred, blessed man, for, lo,/My intercession likewise steads my foe (2.3.52-58).
Romeo talks of his love with Juliet, except the Friar does not know about it. Romeos attempt to
confuse the Friar allows for more dramatic effect, which proves that Romeo strives for attention
through his dramatic dialogue when interacting with others.
Throughout Acts Three to Five, Romeo still remains dramatic, but his impulsive side
shows through as he is forced to make quick decisions in the heat of the moment. In 3.1, Romeo
is forced to make a split-second decision as Tybalt slays Mercutio in front of him. Although he
first speaks of peace, the combination of his dramatic side and impulsive side results in even
more conflict. At first, Romeo speaks of peace as he refuses to fight Tybalt. Romeo says that the
reason that [he] has to love [Tybalt]/Doth much excuse the appertaining rage/To such a greeting.
Villain [Romeo is] none (3.1.65-67). Romeos intentions, although pure, result in even more
conflict as he chooses drama over logic. After just witnessing Mercutios death, he becomes
enraged and his impulses take over, clouding his thoughts, Romeo tells Tybalt that either
[Tybalt] or [him], or both, must go with [Mercutio] (3.1.136). Romeos rage is clear as they
begin to fight, and as a result, Romeo ends up killing Tybalt. His quick decisions cause conflicts
that could have been easily avoided, but his impulses caused them to worsen. Similarly, Romeos
quick and impulsive decision-making skills are questioned as he is informed of Juliets death. In
5.1, Romeo visits the apothecary and asks for a potion immediately after Balthasar delivers the
news to him. He dramatically states that he will take the poison to Juliets grave; for there [he]

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must use [it] (5.1.93). Unfortunately, Romeo never questions Balthasar or hesitates after finding
out that Juliet is dead. Instead, he immediately goes to buy poison so he can join Juliet in the
grave, where he will ultimately descend to his death.
Shakespeares characterization of Romeo as a dramatic individual continues throughout
the entire play. Romeos tragic flaw, observed through the entire play, is his irrationality and
quick decisions. He demands attention through his actions, but fails to make rational decisions,
resulting in his impulsive and obsessive side to shine through. Although Romeos actions begin
to regress as he falls victim to fate, he still remains a dramatic individual and highly exaggerates
situations. Romeos tendency to amplify every situation causes each situation to become
progressively worse as he begins to follow his path to his destiny. Unfortunately, his destiny
leads him to his demise. His decisions inevitably caused the end of his days. Choices are up to
individuals to make some can be avoided, others can be transformed, but fate is the one thing
that cannot be changed.