Romeo And Juliet Character Analysis
William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet was written in the Elizabethan era towards the end of the sixteenth century. The play presents a poignant tragedy the magnitude of which transcends the passage of time and culture. Among the themes of universal relevance that contribute to the tragedy are fate and the personality flaws of key characters. At the conclusion of the play, these themes combine to evoke profound sorrow both within the audience and among the play’s surviving characters.
Fate, the development of events outside a person’s control and predetermined by a supernatural force, is a major theme that contributes to the tragedy of “Romeo and Juliet”. Throughout the play, nouns like “stars”, “fortune” and “destiny” are used as metaphors …show more content…
Romeo’s major character flaw is his impetuosity. His impetuous decision to marry Juliet the day after their first meeting sets the scene for the tragedy that will ensue. Later in the drama, the ease with which he fails to remember Prince Escalus’ injunction that “…If ever you disturb our streets again, Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace…” as he avenges Mercutio’s death and slays Tybalt. “O, I am a fortune’s fool” as he precipitously remembers the Princes warning for disturbing the peace of Verona. These personality flaws from Romeo induce the ill-starred culmination. The major character flaws in Friar Lawrence is that he agrees to marry Romeo and Juliet with a good heart in order to turn the rancour into peace between the Capulets and Montagues. In Act 2 scene 3, he expresses to Romeo that “In one respect I’ll thy assistant be: For this alliance may so happy prove, To turn your households’ rancour to pure love.” His hopes in healing the family rift with a political marriage which leads to the inevitable consequences foretold in the prologue. Had he not agreed to marry the two lustful lovers, the audience would’ve seen a vastly different outcome. He further damaged the life of the two lovers by providing Juliet with the sleeping potion in order to prevent her from marrying the County Paris. Had he persuaded Romeo to marry the
Fate, the development of events outside a person’s control and predetermined by a supernatural force, is a major theme that contributes to the tragedy of “Romeo and Juliet”. Throughout the play, nouns like “stars”, “fortune” and “destiny” are used as metaphors …show more content…
Romeo’s major character flaw is his impetuosity. His impetuous decision to marry Juliet the day after their first meeting sets the scene for the tragedy that will ensue. Later in the drama, the ease with which he fails to remember Prince Escalus’ injunction that “…If ever you disturb our streets again, Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace…” as he avenges Mercutio’s death and slays Tybalt. “O, I am a fortune’s fool” as he precipitously remembers the Princes warning for disturbing the peace of Verona. These personality flaws from Romeo induce the ill-starred culmination. The major character flaws in Friar Lawrence is that he agrees to marry Romeo and Juliet with a good heart in order to turn the rancour into peace between the Capulets and Montagues. In Act 2 scene 3, he expresses to Romeo that “In one respect I’ll thy assistant be: For this alliance may so happy prove, To turn your households’ rancour to pure love.” His hopes in healing the family rift with a political marriage which leads to the inevitable consequences foretold in the prologue. Had he not agreed to marry the two lustful lovers, the audience would’ve seen a vastly different outcome. He further damaged the life of the two lovers by providing Juliet with the sleeping potion in order to prevent her from marrying the County Paris. Had he persuaded Romeo to marry the