Summary
Summary Explore how Shakespeare presents Romeo as a character who is passionate in Romeo and Juliet (30)
- Course
- Institution
- Book
Grade 9 Essay on Romeo’s Character in Romeo and Juliet
[Show more]
Connected book
Book Title:
Author(s):
- Edition:
- ISBN:
- Edition:
More summaries for
-
Remeo and Juliet Act 2
-
Romeo and Juliet: Act 3 Scene by Scene Summary (DETAILED BUT CONCISE) 2024
-
Romeo and Juliet: Acts 4-5 Summary Scene by Scene (DETAILED BUT CONCISE) 2024
Seller
Follow
yistudies
Content preview
Explore how Shakespeare presents Romeo as a character who is passionate in Romeo andJuliet (30)
Throughout the entirety of the play, Romeo is presented as an impulsive, fickle vain
character who is too indulged in a state of infatuation to realise the effect that his erratic
decisions have on others.
In Act 2, Scene 2, we see the extent of Romeo’s infatuation with Juliet. The quote “Neither
fair saint, if either thee dislike” uses religious imagery to herald Juliet and exemplify Romeo’s
love for her. The quote tells the audience how Romeo would be willing to give up his family
name for Juliet, which is significant as, during the time of the play, status was only
achievable through your lineage, and the fact that Romeo was willing to forsake it shows the
devotion that he had for her and that it wasn’t a case of “doting” as the Friar thought. Light
imagery is also used to describe his passion for Juliet, “with love’s light wings did I o’er-perch
these walls” which also utilises a metaphor to show how the light of love inspired Romeo to
jump the walls. It could be said that the use of this light imagery, calling “Juliet” the “sun”
could be to align with the trope of Petrarchan love, in an attempt to woo Juliet who believes
that Romeo is “too like the lightning”.Through the u se of religious imagery, light imagery
and language devices, we see how infatuated Romeo is with Juliet.
Earlier on in the play, we initially picture Romeo as a lovesick, depressed individual. The
quote “O brawling love O loving hate “ uses an oxymoron to highlight Romeo’s initial
confusion in love due to his unrequited love for Rosaline. The verb “brawling” connotes
violence and foreshadows the conflict later on in the play. A metaphor is used by Montague
as he describes Romeo to have made “himself an artificial night”. The recurring motif of light
and dark imagery is present here as the “night” symbolises isolation and depression.
Following Benvolio’s advice to “Examine other beauties” Romeo decided to go to the
Capulet ball, however, he had a premonition, fearing a “consequence yet hanging in the
stars” showing how Shakespeare and his audience had mixed views on predestination and
fate, and they believed that your demise was mainly down to your actions. Through the use
of oxymorons and motifs, we see how Romeo is described as lovesick and lonely.
In Act 1, Scene 5, we get a deeper insight into the passionate behaviour of Romeo. A
swathe of religious imagery is used, including “If I profane with my unworthiest hand, this
holy shrine” to show how Romeo wanted to describe Juliet in the most noble and lofty
manner, in a desperate attempt to flatter her and gain her approval. However, it could also
be said that Romeo uses this religious imagery such as “my lips, two blushing pilgrims” to
align with the Petrarchan trope of love in an attempt to woo Juliet. Shakespeare includes this
to make evident to the audience the decisions - mainly fuelled by passion, which push
Romeo to his untimely death.
In Act 3, Scene 1, we are introduced to the more erratic, impulsive Romeo, who is more
violent. He realises that “thy beauty hath made me effeminate” and likens his emasculation
to “valour’s steel” connoting strength and control. Some critics cite this point as when Romeo
learns to control his infatuation however I believe that it only fuels his hubris and his defiance
to societal norms. This is shown he says “I defy you stars” which uses astrological imagery
to present his infatuation fuelled hubris, which is considered by many to be his hamartia, his
fatal flaw which condemns him to his demise. Shakespeare had a great interest in Greek
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller yistudies. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $10.97. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
62555 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy study notes for 14 years now