Turning Point Of Romeo's Character

Romeo Montague is the main male character in William Shakespeare’s play, ‘Romeo and Juliet’. He is defined by extreme emotional reactions and mood swings, and it’s hard to fully understand Romeo’s character as we are never fully shown exactly who he is. In order to paint a full picture of his personality, we must look at the way he reacts to the situations he places himself in.

At the beginning of the play, Romeo is introduced as a character surrounded by a fog of melancholy and despair. The subject of his romantic affections, Rosaline, has refused his advances and as a result of this he becomes disengaged and disillusioned with the world. “This love I feel, I feel no love in this.” Without his idea of love, he decides he is incomplete. “Without his roe, like a dried herring.” His character is portrayed as exceedingly passionate and romantic in this early stage of the play, traits that will continue throughout the story.

A turning point in the definition of Romeo’s character occurs …show more content…
In an act of nobility and honour Romeo refuses to accept the challenge of a duel posed by Tybalt, being branded a traitor as a result. “Here is my man.” When Mercutio steps up to defend the Montague name; “O calm, dishonourable, vile submission”, and is killed by Tybalt as a result, Romeo lets his anger fuel him and in his rage, kills Tybalt as an act of vengence. “Immediately we do exhile him hence.” This leads to his banishment and separation from Juliet. “So that I may sack this hateful mansion!” As a result of his rash and imprudent actions, he has secured his own fate. He is living his nightmare due to his own actions. “Fire eyed fury be my conduct now!” In this scene, we see Romeo’s character for what it truly is. He is reckless, unafraid and inconsiderate of consequences and impulsive. Because of these traits and his actions, he not only secured his own death, but the death of Juliet