The Tragic Choices of Romeo Montague in Romeo and Juliet
The Tragic Choices of Romeo Montague in Romeo and Juliet
Romeo Montague made many tragic choices in this story, some caused the deaths of his lover, his best friend, and himself. Romeo and Juliet is a tragic play written by one of the greatest Renaissance play writers, William Shakespeare. The main characters Romeo and Juliet are both from families who hate each other. They fall in love with one another, which in turn causes many tragic events to occur. Romeo’s immaturity, slowness to react, and foolish acts caused the dire events in the story too.
Romeo was immature for his age. His decision to go to the Capulet’s costume party can be thought immature. He went in hopes to meet Rosiline but instead met Juliet and fell in love with her. After that he again met Juliet on her balcony and asked her for her hand in marriage. “...The exchange of thy love’s faithful vow for mine” (Page 77 Act II Scene I). It was an immature act to ask for her hand in marriage, because he forgot about how the two families still hated each other and would break some necks if they found out.
Romeo’s slowness to react during Tybalt’s and Mercutio’s fight caused him to lose his friend. Romeo said “Gentle Mercutio, put thy rapier up.” (page 121 Act III Scene I). Instead Romeo could have had Benvolio and himself subdue and hold Tybalt and Mercutio till their angers burned out, because he didn’t it caused even more bad luck to befall him. Though he tried, Romeo’s friend still fought and lost his life, Tybalt then ran away after killing poor Mercuitio. Because of Mercuitio’s death Romeo had some pent up anger, and when Tybalt returned Romeo fought and killed him. “This shall determine that...[They fight]....O, I am a fortune’s fool!” ( Page 125 Act III Scene 1) When Romeo killed Tybalt he realized what would happen. The Prince heard of the fight and decided to cast-out Romeo. This started a chain of events that would cause sorrow and anguish to Juliet, Romeo’s mother and himself.
Romeo had a foolish side to him. Towards the end of the book Romeo enters Juliet’s tomb, before he could do anything, Paris decided to fight him. But Romeo...