Thursday, December 7, 2017

What are some character traits of Romeo, with quotes? I've been able to get the basics such as passionate and brave, but I'm trying to find 8.

I'll add a few of the character traits I most strongly identify with Romeo:

  1. Melodramatic: Romeo seems like the kind of guy who wants to experience the world in a strongly emotional way. 

    Quote: When we first meet him, we hear from his father that he has been mooning around town for some reason (which later turns out to be that he is "in love" with Rosaline and she doesn't want to get with him:
    "Many a morning hath he there been seen,
    With tears augmenting the fresh morning dew.
    Adding to clouds more clouds with his deep sighs; [...]
    Shuts up his windows, locks far daylight out
    And makes himself an artificial night" (1.1)


  2. Fickle: How easily does Romeo transfer these deep, passionate feelings of love he apparently feels for Rosaline over to Juliet? Over the course of one party! Though obviously a passionate man, Romeo seems more in love with the idea of being in love than the object of his affections, as he is able to transfer his feelings so easily. 

    Quote: When Romeo comes to Friar Lawrence asking him to marry him and Juliet, Friar Lawrence is stunned:
    "Holy Saint Francis, what a change is here!
    Is Rosaline, whom thou didst love so dear,
    So soon forsaken?" (2.3.65-67)


  3. Devoted: Though he may be flighty in his romantic passions, Romeo is devoted to his friends, especially Mercutio, Benvolio, and Friar Lawrence. 

    Quote: After Romeo tries to keep Mercutio and Tybalt from fighting and Mercutio receives a deadly blow under Romeo's arm, he blames himself for the death, even while Mercutio blames everyone except his own fiery temper. Romeo says,
    "My very friend, hath got his mortal hurt
    In my behalf; my reputation stain'd
    With Tybalt's slander" (3.3.106-108)

    *This choice to kill Tybalt as revenge for Mercutio is especially important, as earlier in the scene, he did not want to fight for fear of upsetting Juliet by hurting her kinsman. It's almost like he's choosing Mercutio over her here...


  4. Quick-witted: Like many Shakespeare characters, Romeo loves a good pun or play on words. He often engages in verbal-jousting with his friends, and it often includes a sexual innuendo. 

    Quote: When persuading Romeo to dance at the party, Mercutio says,
    "You are a lover; borrow Cupid's wings,
    And soar with them above a common bound.

    To which Romeo responds,
    "I am too sore enpierced with his shaft
    To soar with his light feathers" (1.4.17-20)


  5. Impulsive/Reckless: Romeo's lack of self-moderation causes all sorts of trouble over the course of the play, from killing Tybalt to attempting suicide as soon as he hears of Juliet's death, before she has time to wake up. With a little more self-control on his part, things may have turned out okay.

    Quote: After telling Romeo that Juliet is dead, Balthesar says,
    "I do beseech you, sir, have patience:
    Your looks are pale and wild, and do import
    Some misadventure" (5.1.28-30)


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