In Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet, Romeo’s one tragic flaw was that he was overly emotional and always was going from one end of the emotional spectrum to the other. Throughout the play, Shakespeare demonstrates this flaw in Romeo’s passionate rush to falling in love, his volatile fighting, and his suicidal despair. Although depth of feeling can be admirable, Shakespeare cautions that uncontrolled emotion can be destructive. As Friar Lawrence warns, “These violent delights have violent ends” (2.6.9).
Shakespeare demonstrates Romeo’s out-of-control emotions in several different contexts. For example, any time Romeo fell in love, he became carried away, expressing surprisingly extreme feelings. When Romeo is first introduced, he is shown to be completely romantically obsessed with a girl named Rosaline. Romeo’s infatuation with Rosaline is clearly not the product of rational thought, but rather shows his runaway emotions. He repeatedly claims that …show more content…
Twice, Romeo fights with someone and, in the heat of the moment, he kills his opponent, even though he had not intended it to end that way. Romeo’s lack of self-control is why when he starts fighting he ends up fighting to the death. In Act 3, Scene 1, Romeo ends up killing Tybalt after Tybalt fights with and kills Mercutio. As Romeo loses his temper, he fumes, “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” (3.1.128-134). In act 5, Romeo comes upon Paris as he makes his way to Juliet’s tomb. Although he at first refuses to fight him, Romeo eventually gives into fury. “Wilt thou provoke me? Then have at thee, boy!” says Romeo (5.3.70). He then draws his sword and kills
Shakespeare demonstrates Romeo’s out-of-control emotions in several different contexts. For example, any time Romeo fell in love, he became carried away, expressing surprisingly extreme feelings. When Romeo is first introduced, he is shown to be completely romantically obsessed with a girl named Rosaline. Romeo’s infatuation with Rosaline is clearly not the product of rational thought, but rather shows his runaway emotions. He repeatedly claims that …show more content…
Twice, Romeo fights with someone and, in the heat of the moment, he kills his opponent, even though he had not intended it to end that way. Romeo’s lack of self-control is why when he starts fighting he ends up fighting to the death. In Act 3, Scene 1, Romeo ends up killing Tybalt after Tybalt fights with and kills Mercutio. As Romeo loses his temper, he fumes, “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” (3.1.128-134). In act 5, Romeo comes upon Paris as he makes his way to Juliet’s tomb. Although he at first refuses to fight him, Romeo eventually gives into fury. “Wilt thou provoke me? Then have at thee, boy!” says Romeo (5.3.70). He then draws his sword and kills