Tommy Gray

Romeo and Juliet Character Analysis:

In Shakespeares tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, there are many dynamic

characters. The one character I find most interesting is Romeo, because he is

desperate for love, a risk taker, and loyal. These characteristics the author

instilled in Romeo, leads him to make some bad decisions that will create

major problems later in the story.

From the beginning of the play, Romeo has been desperate for love. I

feel as though throughout the play his emotional effect, has been caused by

a girl. For example; at the beginning of the play the big, or main reason

Romeo was sad and depressed was because of Rosaline not loving him.

However, as the story progressed he met Juliet. And somehow instantly, fell

in love with her saying, did my heart love till now? Forswear it sight? For I

never saw true beauty till this night (Shakespeare 248). See this is what I

mean, if he so desperately loved Rosaline then he wouldnt have fell in love

that easily. Romeos confused little heart, leads him to make some big

decision, which in the end leads to some major problems.

Along with him being desperate, he is also a risk-taker. Like after the

party, Romeo decided to go back to Juliet at her house. For example; he says,

He jests at sears that never felt a wound. But, soft! What light through

wonder window breaks? It is the east. And Juliet is the sun! (Shakespeare

25). At this point in the play Juliet appears at the window, and Romeo is

hiding. When I say, Romeo is a risk-taker, I say it because Tybalt said if

Tommy Gray

Romeo ever showed his face at the Capulet house then hed for sure kill

them. A so even though Romeo knows Juliet is a Capulet, hes still goes back

to see her because he so call loves her. By Romeo doing this by him

entertaining his thought that he loves Juliet, then this will lead to some bad

problems, later in the story.

As well as being a Risk taker, throughout the story Romeo has shown that

he is loyal for example; it says, I am for you. Gentle Mercutio, put they

rapier up. Come, sir youre passed. Draw, Benvolio; beat down their

weapons. Gentlemen, for shame, forbear this outrage! Tybalt, Mercutio, the

prince expressly hath, Tybalt! Good Mercutio, the prince expressly hath forbid

this bandying in Verona streets: hold, Tybalt! Good Mercutio! Tybalt under

Romeos arm stabs Mercutio and flies with his followers. Thou, wretched boy,

that didnt consort him here, shalt with him hence. This shall determines that

(they fright; Tybalt falls.) (Shakespeare 45) as provided in this evidence, you

can see how Romeo is loyal to the ones he loves. He kills Tybalt in retaliation,

for Tybalt killing Mercutio. This problem was what actually spar iced the

problems that leads to major problems in the end of the play.

As you can see, from the evidence and reasoning I have provided.

Romeo is desperate for love, a risk taker, and loyal to all his friends and

family. William Shakespeare has developed Romeo as the character he is, so

the audience can see how, the decision we make can lead to some problem

later on in life. If we dont make good decision, or think out the decision we

make then there can be problems later on in life.

Tommy Gray

Work cited

Shakespeare, William.

Romeo and Juliet. New York: Dover

Publications, 1993