Romeo and Juliet
Final Assignment
Question 3- How does the character
(Romeo) develop and change in the story? What theme or message is shown through
these changes?
Sometimes
love changes us and makes us into a different person we once were. This was the
case in William Shakespeare’s play- Romeo
and Juliet written in the 16th century. Romeo, one of the main
characters, meets his soul mate Juliet, and instantly transforms into a new
person. He was gloomy at the beginning of the book, but as he met Juliet he
suddenly became elated and peaceful. When Juliet “dies” Romeo becomes angry,
furious and of course sad. Romeo develops throughout the story going from heart
broken and in grief, to happy and joyful, to finally devastated as he could no
longer see his love until the day she “passes away”.
Romeo
started off being troubled, heartbroken and even depressed. At the time he
loved Rosaline who rejected him, which left poor Romeo abandoned and unloved.
Romeo would walk around the streets as hours felt long. He felt that no other
girl could replace Rosaline’s beauty and he would be alone for the rest of his
life. Romeo confesses to Benvolio, “A sick man in sadness makes his will- / A
word ill urged to one that is so ill. / In sadness, cousin, I do love a women.”
(1.1. 210-213). The text evidence shows that Romeo feels like a “sick man in
sadness”. He is so depressed that he feels ill because of the woman he loves.
After his sad
period, Romeo has a sudden change of heart when he meets Juliet, the love of
his life. When Romeo saw Juliet and she saw him, it was love at first sight.
They were made for each other. For example, as soon as Romeo saw Juliet he
professes, “If I profane with my unworthiest hand / This holy shrine, the
gentle sin is this: / My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand / To smooth
that rough touch with a tender kiss.” (1.5. 93-96) This quotation expresses how
Romeo came to the Capulet’s party sad, and as soon as he saw Juliet brightness
just filled Romeo’s head. Romeo spontaneously forgets his sad emotions and
becomes the happiest man alive. He becomes joyful and peppy as he found his
soul mate and marries her. For example Romeo says, “Amen, amen. But come what
sorrow can, / It cannot countervail the exchange of joy / That one short minute
gives me in her sight.” (2.6. 3-5). Romeo is so deeply in love with Juliet that
in one short minute he gets so much happiness and joy from just looking at her.
He would do anything in the world to stay forever with Juliet.
Finally
towards the end of the play, Romeo gets banished from Verona, therefore unable
to see his loved one. Already he feels troubled because of that. But on top,
when Balthasar comes to Romeo and tells him Juliet is dead (Romeo was unaware
that Juliet was alive but paralyzed with a potion- faking her death) Romeo
become furious, angry and sad at the same time. He is devastated with the
situation. The one girl that made him joyful is no longer alive. Romeo
transforms into something more than sadness- revenge. For example when Romeo
just finds out about Juliet’s situation, he screams at Balthasar, “Is it e’en
so?- Then I defy you, stars!- / Thou knowest my lodging. Get me ink and paper,
/ And hire post-horses. I will hence tonight.”(5.1. 25-27). This clearly states
that Romeo is mad at the world, for taking Juliet. It also shows that Romeo
wants to avenge Juliet’s death, therefore leading to senseless actions like
killing himself but also Paris. Because Juliet is dead, Romeo feels the need to
die as consequence.
Romeo
changes extremely throughout the story. At first he is somber because Rosaline
does not accept is love. Then Romeo meets Juliet and immediately becomes happy
and excited with the world. Every minute he sees Juliet is the best in his
life. But like they say every day has its dark, and after Romeo is banished and
thinks Juliet is dead he becomes sad, angry and ferocious towards the world.
Romeo should have cried out when Balthasar told him and waited a bit before
doing anything irrational, but if you find a soul mate perhaps feelings get
more attached. Romeo finally feels complete when he sees Juliet compared to Rosaline.
But Romeo should have done a more mature decision like learn to control
himself. At their young age, Romeo and Juliet should have slowed things out
before rushing into marriage, but possibly early marriage was common at the
time. Romeo was sad, happy, and angry but how did Romeo feel just before death?
