Changes in Romeo in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

Introduction

William Shakespeare's play, Romeo and Juliet, is all about the tragic love story of two young people from warring families. In the play, Romeo goes through some big changes in how he feels and what he does. This essay will dig into how Romeo transforms, looking at what makes him change. By looking at his crush on Rosaline, his quick decisions, and his growth in maturity and understanding, we can really get a sense of who Romeo is and what the play is all about.

Romeo's Crush on Rosaline

At the start of the play, Romeo is head over heels for a girl named Rosaline. He's totally obsessed with her, even though she doesn't feel the same way. This crush on Rosaline really gets Romeo down. You can see how into her he is in the way he talks and acts. For example, in Act 1, Scene 1, Romeo goes on and on about how amazing Rosaline is, saying things like "She's super smart and pure, she's like a shield against love" (1.1.208-210). This crush takes over Romeo's life and makes him feel sad and gloomy.

But things take a turn when Romeo meets Juliet at a party thrown by Juliet's family. This is when Romeo's feelings shift from Rosaline to Juliet, and he changes a lot because of it.

Romeo's Impulsiveness

Romeo is pretty impulsive throughout the play. He often acts without thinking about what might happen as a result. This impulsive side of him shows up when he decides to go to the party thrown by Juliet's family, even though it's risky. And then, there's his quick decision to marry Juliet, just hours after meeting her. This shows how Romeo tends to act without really thinking things through.

In Act 2, Scene 2, Romeo declares his love for Juliet in a really dramatic way, saying things like "Don't swear by the moon, it changes all the time, don't let your love change too" (2.2.109-111). This impulsive declaration of love, made in the heat of the moment, shows just how quick Romeo is to act without considering the consequences.

Romeo's impulsive actions end up leading to a tragic ending for the play. For example, his rushed decision to end his own life when he hears that Juliet is dead shows just how impulsive he can be. Romeo's impulsiveness not only affects his own fate but also sets the stage for the sad ending of the story.

Romeo's Growth in Maturity and Understanding

Despite his crush on Rosaline and his impulsive nature, Romeo grows a lot in terms of maturity and understanding. You can see this in the way he starts to think more about love and consider the consequences of his actions.

As the play goes on, Romeo starts to question his love for Juliet and think about what might happen because of their choices. In Act 3, Scene 3, Romeo says, "Oh, I'm just a puppet of fate!" (3.1.136). This shows that Romeo is starting to see how fate plays a big role in his life and how his impulsive decisions can lead to bad outcomes.

Additionally, Romeo's decision not to fight Tybalt, Juliet's cousin, shows how much he has matured. In Act 3, Scene 1, Romeo says, "I swear I never did you wrong, I love you more than you know" (3.1.65-66). By refusing to fight, Romeo shows that he understands the power of love and wants to stop the cycle of violence between their families.

Conclusion

In the end, Romeo goes through a lot of changes in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. From his crush on Rosaline to his impulsive decisions and his growth in maturity and understanding, Romeo's development as a character is a big part of the play. By looking at these changes, we can get a better sense of the themes of love, fate, and the consequences of acting without thinking. Romeo's transformation is a lesson for us all, reminding us to think things through and grow up when dealing with complicated emotions and relationships.