Romeo in Romeo and Juliet (Free Essay Example)

Romeo and Juliet, written by William Shakespeare, is a love tragedy between two lovers who are not able to be together due to their differences. Their families belong in different groups, with Romeo being in the Montagues and Juliet in the Capulets. It is known the families have a hatred for each other, and because of this, it would be rather impossible for Romeo and Juliet to live happily ever after.  The two go on back and forth, attempting to bring themselves together without being seen but unfortunately, fail miserably. Additionally if it were not for Romeo’s actions, the couple’s ending would not be so devastating. His longing for love, lack of sense in decision-making, and immaturity all result in the dreadful ending of him and Juliet. Moreover, Romeo Montague is the one to blame for the tragedies in this Shakespearean play.

Firstly, Romeo is blinded by love, whether that be from Juliet or his previous lover, Rosaline. In the beginning of the play, a heartbroken Romeo who had just broken up with Rosaline, walks along the streets of Verona with his friend Benvolio. This is, until a servant asks for their assistance with reading the guest list for the Capulet’s masquerade party. Scanning the list, Romeo reads his past paramour, which his desperate soul then impels him to attend this party he is not invited to. Consequently, this party leads to meeting Juliet, in which the two end up falling in love in an instant. Romeo then forgets about Rosaline and focuses only on this one girl he has just met. 

ROMEO, [taking Juliet’s hand]

If I profane with my unworthiest hand 

This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this: 

My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand 

To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.

JULIET

Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much, 

Which mannerly devotion shows in this; 

For saints have hands that pilgrims’ hands do touch, 

And palm to palm is holy palmers’ kiss.

ROMEO

Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too?

JULIET

Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer.

ROMEO

O then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do. They pray: grant thou, lest faith turn to despair (I,v, 104-115)

Romeo’s first encounter with Juliet is to take her hand, disregarding that she has no idea who he is, as well as that it was their first time laying eyes on each other. Saying he will fix his “unworthiest hand” using a “tender kiss” suggests how forward he is, wanting to kiss Juliet the first time they interact. Referencing how when he took her hand, he “profaned with his unworthy hand,” shows he thought his hand resembled a lower status compared to Juliet, which he compared to a “holy shirne.” Romeo assumes as if he just disrespected her, by just barging in right away and to compensate, he would earn Juliet’s respect by doing an act of service, which in this case, is a kiss on her hand, something very unanticipated for a first interaction. However, his forwardness does not intimidate Juliet, but instead, interests her. She goes on and tells him that she doesn't mind for him, a pilgrim, to approach her, a holy shrine. As it takes effort and time to travel to something high such as a shrine, she feels as if Romeo does not recognize that. Referring it to a “mannerly devotion,” shows how respected she feels from Romeo. Then she exclaims that the “saints have hands that pilgrims’ hands do touch,'' referencing how the pilgrims touch the saint statues at holy shrines. The touching of hands is what Juliet calls a “holy palmers kiss,” suggesting that pilgrims touch the saint statues’ hands all the time, thus advising Romeo that what he did was not as sinful as he thinks. Romeo is then relieved by this, and being a hopeless romantic, encourages her to “let lips do what hands do,” hoping for the two to kiss each other. He gives her permission to come up with her decision, but if she refuses, he will “turn into despair,” illustrating his desperate loving heart. Even during the first encounter with Juliet, Romeo seems to be very clingy to her, claiming he will break down if she declines to perform an act of love to him. Romeo is blinded by love to the point he will do anything to seek it out, resulting in many attempts in dismantling the two’s relationship.

In addition to being needy for love, Romeo’s lack of sense in decision making leads to creating serious mistakes. He is desperate to do anything for Juliet, that even deciding to marry a girl he had just met a few days ago is something he acts upon. Towards the middle of the play, Romeo begs Friar Lawrence, a priest, to assist him in marrying him and Juliet.

ROMEO

Then plainly know my heart’s dear love is set 

On the fair daughter of rich Capulet. 

As mine on hers, so hers is set on mine, 

And all combined, save what thou must combine 

By holy marriage. When and where and how 

We met, we wooed, and made exchange of vow 

I’ll tell thee as we pass, but this I pray, 

That thou consent to marry us today. (II, iii, 61- 68)

Romeo states his true feelings for Juliet, saying his “heart's dear love is set,” indicating he is head over heels over her. Although they have only been together for a few days, he summarizes his true love, declaring it is true and whole. Therefore, Romeo claims the two should get married by the friar. The rush to get married is very surprising considering Romeo’s young age of thirteen. Stating, ’’We met, we wooed, and made exchange of vow,” emphasizes how educated Romeo is on the commitment of marriage. Although he seems mature for how he is coming forward with this decision, however, the timeline between the couple seems too rushed, hence how Romeo plans to marry Juliet at such an early stage of their relationship. His quick thinking does not give time to consider what Romeo is actually doing in addition to its effects. Romeo seems to choose his emotions over the reality of circumstances, which will foreshadow the harms he will do in the future.

Ultimately, Romeo’s immaturity drives him to his and Juliet’s tragic death. In addition to his lack of judgment, his first reaction to everything, especially when it comes to Juliet, is to fight and act violent.  Romeo’s immaturity is illustrated in the time when he discovers his good friend Mercutio has been killed by his archenemy, Tybalt, a Capulet. As Romeo’s anger gets to the best of him, his body cannot control the frustration bearing inside, resulting in a duel with Tybalt. The battle escalates until Romeo kills Tybalt, which he then flees the streets. Chaos ensues in the town, and the prince enters. He makes a statement saying that Romeo would be banished on the streets of Verona, which results in not being able to see Juliet, further distancing them apart.

ROMEO

Alive in triumph, and Mercutio slain! 

Away to heaven, respective lenity, 

And fire-eyed fury be my conduct now.— 

Now, Tybalt, take the “villain” back again 

That late thou gavest me, for Mercutio’s soul

Is but a little way above our heads, 

Staying for thine to keep him company. 

Either thou or I, or both, must go with him

TYBALT

Thou wretched boy that didst consort him here 

Shalt with him hence.

ROMEO

This shall determine that.

They fight, Tybalt falls. (III, i, 127-137) 

By using ”away to heaven, respective lenity,” depicts the degree of anger Romeo is at. He no longer has any respect towards Tybalt, and will behave with “fire-eyed fury.” Romeo exclaims he will act in an infuriated manner towards Tybalt. He then compels him to take back what he says about Romeo being a villain, considering the merciless act Tybalt had just performed. Tybalt reacts in an immature approach as well, mentioning how he stated that “thou wretched boy shalt with him hence,” how he wants Romeo to go up to where Mercutio is. Romeo is challenged by this statement, declaring “this shall determine that,” which they begin to duel. The interaction between Tybalt and Romeo is handled very poorly, their hatred drives them to battling each other. The two are angered to the point they do not slow down to think or compromise in a mature fashion. Instead, they just go right into a duel, causing Tybalt to fall to his end. If Romeo had not handled Mercutio’s death so maturely, Tybalt would still be alive, and Romeo would not have to flee the streets of Verona. On top of that, he would still be able to see Juliet without it being a challenge as it would be later on in the play.

As the play comes to an end, Romeo, upon his banishment, receives a message that Juliet is dead. Out of despair, he comes to say his last goodbyes to the world, as he is going to lay dead with Julliet. However, Juliet was in a deep slumber, and about to awake in a few hours. Romeo, using his poor thinking, kills himself with the help of a bottle of poison. Juliet then wakes up and ends her life from seeing Romeo’s dead body. The news spreads quickly, which in the end, the Capulets and Montegeaus make up as a result of the tragedy that had occurred. Romeo’s actions made a lasting impact on his and Juliet’s story. From his flaws of being desperate for love, quick judgment, and immaturity, it creates a domino effect, further leading to all the consequences resulting in the couple’s death. Romeo plays a significant role in crumbling his and Juliet's relationship, physically distancing them apart, thus ending their lives.