What Does Romeo Want to Control? Exploring The Struggles of Love and Fate in Shakespeare's Tragedy

When we dive into Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," we quickly realize that the young protagonist, Romeo Montague, is not just a passionate lover but also a character who grapples with his desire for control in various aspects of his life. From controlling his emotions to navigating the turbulent waters of familial expectations and social norms, Romeo's journey is as much about self-control as it is about love. In this essay, I will explore what Romeo wants to control, focusing on his emotions, relationships, and ultimately, his destiny.

Emotional Control

First and foremost, Romeo's emotional landscape is tumultuous. At the beginning of the play, he is deeply infatuated with Rosaline—a feeling that borders on obsession. This infatuation showcases a lack of control over his emotions; he’s depicted as melancholic and lovesick. The way Shakespeare portrays this initial phase reveals how easily Romeo gets swept away by passion without much thought or restraint. When he meets Juliet, however, things shift dramatically.

Romeo's desire to control his feelings becomes apparent when he first lays eyes on Juliet at the Capulet party. In that moment, it’s as if everything else fades away. Here’s a guy who just moments before was lamenting over unrequited love now suddenly feeling ecstatic about someone new! It raises an interesting question: does he truly want to control these feelings or merely find something worth investing in? As their relationship develops so rapidly—moving from strangers to lovers in mere hours—it becomes clear that while he tries to seize emotional stability through love for Juliet, he's actually entering into chaos.

Romantic Relationships

The second aspect where we see Romeo seeking control is within his romantic relationships. His connection with Juliet serves as both an anchor and a source of conflict in his life. Initially portrayed as impulsive—think about how quickly they declare their love—Romeo later attempts to assert some measure of control over their relationship dynamics after Tybalt kills Mercutio.

This event thrusts him into a battle between vengeance and love. He struggles internally; should he seek revenge for Mercutio's death or prioritize protecting Juliet? His decision to kill Tybalt can be seen as an attempt at gaining back some semblance of control amidst external chaos—the family feud—but it ironically leads him deeper into turmoil since this act results in his banishment from Verona.

In losing Juliet temporarily due to exile—effectively losing any semblance of emotional equilibrium—Romeo realizes how out-of-control things really are. It's heartbreaking because you see him oscillate between wanting autonomy in expressing love but being trapped by societal expectations and familial ties that demand loyalty above personal happiness.

Family Expectations

This brings us neatly into another realm where Romeo feels the pressure: family expectations. Being a Montague means adhering not only to certain values but also engaging in this bitter feud with the Capulets which dictates many choices made throughout the play—including whom one can love freely.

The irony here is palpable; while fighting against these expectations (like choosing Juliet), he paradoxically finds himself more entangled than ever within them! Throughout various scenes following Tybalt’s death—in which Lord Montague expresses concern for Romeos well-being—we can observe that even though there seems like room for negotiation between duty versus personal happiness; ultimately social structures dictate behavior significantly.

The Quest for Destiny

If there's one overarching theme concerning what Romeo seeks control over, it's arguably destiny itself. Early on in "Romeo and Juliet," characters frequently reference fate through foreboding language indicating misfortune awaits—a classic setup illustrating how individuals try grappling against forces beyond comprehension yet feel powerless at times:

"O fortune! All men call thee fickle..."

This sentiment resonates deeply within our hero when calamity strikes after marrying Juliette hastily—the tragic circumstances spiraling beyond anyone’s grasp leads ultimately towards irreversible tragedy making every attempt at asserting individual agency seem futile!

Conclusion: The Irony of Control

In conclusion, analyzing what Romeo wants to control reveals layers upon layers of complexity inherent not only within himself but also reflective societal contexts surrounding him; each aspect—from emotion down family ties entwined fate—manifests struggle against greater obstacles often leading toward cathartic realizations regarding human existence itself highlighting themes still relevant today! The ultimate tragedy lies not just within deaths faced but rather understanding limitations surrounding freedom experienced during brief romantic escapades too fleeting embody essential essence confronting modernity today thus offering insight resonating generations later…

References:

• Shakespeare W., "Romeo and Juliet." (1597).
• Mack J.B., "The Power Dynamics Within Shakespearean Tragedies." (2015).
• Parker H., "Understanding Emotional Conflict in Literature." (2018).
• Baker A.M., "Themes of Fate and Free Will." (2020).