Romeo Character Analysis

  • First portrayed as a sappy lovesick teenager

  • Miserable because the girl he likes doesn’t like him back

  • Said Rosaline won’t be affected by Cupid’s “arrow of love” because she has “Diana’s wisdom”

  • Romeo easily falls in love and is woman obsessed

  • Shows us how quickly, impulsively and intensely he falls in love

  • Rosaline vs. Juliet shows how his love is different

  • Love for Rosaline

    • An idea of love

    • She doesn’t like him back

    • More of a childish infatuation than love

  • Love for Juliet

    • Real, tangible love,

Is Romeo’s Love for Juliet Real

  • Non existent love with Rosaline makes his real one seem stronger

  • Love is the driving force for many of Romeo’s actions

  • Melancholy character

Romeo’s Impulsivity:

  • Tendency to rely on emotion rather than reason blinds him from the reality of situations

  • Emotional nature makes him impulsive-hasty decisions

  • Relationship with Juliet defines his impulsiveness, rushing into love with Juliet from despair with Rosaline

  • Does not consider the consequences of his actions until he is finished

  • Does not learn from his impulsive mistakes

Romeo’s Violent side:

  • Only fights for a good reason

  • Avoids conflict as much as possible

  • Romeo’s love for Juliet is hindered by the violence between their families

  • Romeo and Juliet use against themselves out of love for each other

  • Ironically this violence stops the violence against the two families

Romeo’s relationship with Juliet

  • Very flirtatious at first

  • Happiness is juxtaposed by sadness and tension after marriage

  • Highlights intensity of both emotions

  • tries to avoid violence that characterizes men at that time because of his love for Juliet

Romeo’s relationship with the Friar

  • Provides guidance to Romeo

  • Romeo rarely listens to the Friar due to his impulsive and reckless nature