Tragic Hero In Romeo and Juilet
"Show me a hero and I'll write you a tragedy."
~ F. Scott Fitzgerald
Who Possesses the Title of a Tragic Hero: Romeo or Juliet? Based upon the Oxford Dictionary of English, a tragedy is defined as either a sad event or a serious disaster that occurs. In Shakespearean plays, a tragedy is classified as a storyline which concludes unfortunately. This unhappy ending is frequently due to the flaw of a tragic hero. In the case of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Romeo Montague possesses the label of the tragic hero, rather than Juliet Capulet, his lover. Based on the characteristics of a tragic hero, I believe Romeo is the tragic hero in the play, due to the fact that he has a tragic flaw of impetuosity, being isolated and banished from Verona, and Romeo eventually suffering and dying. In order for Romeo to be classified as a tragic hero, he must have a tragic flaw, which is revealed as impetuosity. After encountering Juliet, Juliet says that Romeo must give his response regarding marriage to a messenger. As he agrees to Juliet's offer of marriage, he asks for the consent of Friar Lawrence's, his adviser:
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 combin'd, save what thou[Friar Lawrence] must combine/By holy marriage. When and where and how/We met, we woo'd 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.57-64).
Romeo makes the illogical decision of getting married to Juliet, as he has only known her for a few hours. Romeo allows his eyes to fall in love, but not his heart, revealing that he is infatuated, just as he was with Rosaline. By Romeo making the irrational conclusion of taking Juliet's hand in marriage, he displays his tragic flaw which is his impetuosity. Romeo is a typical tragic hero because he is being isolated with all forces against him. Typically, the tragic hero has to undergo
~ F. Scott Fitzgerald
Who Possesses the Title of a Tragic Hero: Romeo or Juliet? Based upon the Oxford Dictionary of English, a tragedy is defined as either a sad event or a serious disaster that occurs. In Shakespearean plays, a tragedy is classified as a storyline which concludes unfortunately. This unhappy ending is frequently due to the flaw of a tragic hero. In the case of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Romeo Montague possesses the label of the tragic hero, rather than Juliet Capulet, his lover. Based on the characteristics of a tragic hero, I believe Romeo is the tragic hero in the play, due to the fact that he has a tragic flaw of impetuosity, being isolated and banished from Verona, and Romeo eventually suffering and dying. In order for Romeo to be classified as a tragic hero, he must have a tragic flaw, which is revealed as impetuosity. After encountering Juliet, Juliet says that Romeo must give his response regarding marriage to a messenger. As he agrees to Juliet's offer of marriage, he asks for the consent of Friar Lawrence's, his adviser:
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 combin'd, save what thou[Friar Lawrence] must combine/By holy marriage. When and where and how/We met, we woo'd 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.57-64).
Romeo makes the illogical decision of getting married to Juliet, as he has only known her for a few hours. Romeo allows his eyes to fall in love, but not his heart, revealing that he is infatuated, just as he was with Rosaline. By Romeo making the irrational conclusion of taking Juliet's hand in marriage, he displays his tragic flaw which is his impetuosity. Romeo is a typical tragic hero because he is being isolated with all forces against him. Typically, the tragic hero has to undergo