Romeo A Tragic Hero Essay

855 Words2 Pages

What do you define a tragic hero as? In Romeo and Juliet, Romeo is seen as tragic hero by Aristotle’s tragic hero characteristics. The six tragic hero characteristics are having noble greatness, being imperfect, having a downfall that is partially their own fault, their misfortune is not wholly deserved, fall is not pure loss, and some good has come from the hero’s death. In William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Romeo is a tragic hero because he has noble stature or greatness, his downfall is partially his fault, and some good has come from his death.

The first characteristic proving Romeo a tragic hero is having nobility or fortune (Allinsby). When Montague is apologizing for the family’s feud killing both of their children, he explains,
After Tybalt killed Mercutio and Romeo challenges him to a duel, Romeo demands, “That late thou gavest me, for Mercutio’s soul/ Is but a little way above our heads/ Staying for thine to keep him company/ Either thou or I, or both, must go with him” (Shakespeare Act III scene i, lines 119-123). This quote shows how Romeo’s downfall is partly his fault because he is defying the prince’s command to no longer fight with the Capulets by challenging Tybalt. Since Romeo is aware that he is defying the prince and fighting anyway it is proven he is contributing to his own demise or downfall. When Mercutio is wounded after fighting Tybalt , he cries, “I am hurt/ A plague o’ both your houses!” (Shakespeare Act III scene i, lines 84-85). The excerpt shows how even Mercutio recognizes the feud between the Montagues and Capulets being destructive, and how it is now gotten so out of hand he has been dragged in it. Mercutio tries to open Romeo’s eyes on how if this feud continues there will be a demise for both families; but by Romeo choosing to ignore this advice and killing Tybalt he is setting himself up for his failure/downfall. Thus, Romeo is shown a tragic hero because his demise is partly his fault and not an

Show More
Related

  • Characteristics Of Mccandless As A Tragic Hero

    1147 Words  | 3 Pages

    A tragic hero is an individual who possesses a fatal flaw in their character that will bring about their own destruction or suffering. Aristotle believed that “A man doesn't become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall. (Aristotle #1)” This Ancient Greek philosopher also believed that each tragic hero has four characteristics. The first of these characteristics is that a tragic hero is born with either wisdom or high integrity, and in some cases both.

    Read More

  • Gladiator Tragic Hero Essay

    628 Words  | 2 Pages

    When it comes to being a tragic hero the character has to have the qualities of being a tragic hero. A tragic hero is where the main character of a tragedy whose fatal flaw leads to his or her destruction. Either the character was born into society as a great man or a slave, they may have carry

    Read More

  • Romeo And Juliet Tragedy Quotes

    859 Words  | 2 Pages

    Romeo senses tensions are high with Tybalt, so he states, “I do protest I never injured thee but love thee better than thou canst devise.” (Lines 65-66 Act Three, Scene One). Romeo is trying to diffuse the situation because he realizes that Tybalt is his love's cousin. Mercutio is surprised by Romeo’s behavior, so he decides to fight Tybalt himself. Mercutio’s decision to fight Tybalt leads to his own death. Romeo is angered by the death of Mercutio and states, “Now, Tybalt, take the “villain" back again/ That late thou gavest me; for Mercutio’s soul.” (Lines 123-124 of Act Three, Scene One). Romeo is indicating that Tybalt is the villain now, because he slayed Mercutio. Romeo forgets about his attempt to befriend the Capulets and slays Tybalt. Romeo, murderer of Tybalt, solely focuses on Juliet and states “Ha, banishment? Be merciful, say “death"/For exile hath more terror in his look.” (Lines 12-13 of Act Three, Scene Three). Romeo does not care about Tybalt’s life, but only cares for the way it affects his relationship with Juliet. Romeo’s mother dies out of grief because of his banishment. Romeo’s recklessness in loving Juliet has led to the death of three

    Read More

  • Mercutio Responsible For The Deaths In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

    887 Words  | 2 Pages

    In a story of unorthodox love, family feuding, and violence, many are at blame for the deaths. One of the people I think is responsible for Romeo and Juliet’s death is Mercutio. Mercutio had evoked a fight with his enemy Tybalt. In Act 1 Scene 1 lines 228-229 Benvolio tells Romeo “By giving liberty unto thine eyes.

    Read More

  • The Crucible: John Proctor A Tragic Hero

    414 Words  | 1 Pages

    The qualities of a tragic hero as defined by Aristotle in 350 BC are: a tragic hero is a prominent member of the community, he/she has a tragic flaw (usually excessive hubris, or pride), he/she is basically good but experiences a tragic fall from his/her status in the community due to a bad decision. In Arthur Miller’s classic drama The Crucible, John Proctor is a good example of a tragic hero. He fits the criteria of a tragic hero. He is a prominent community member who has a tragic flaw that results in his tragic fall.

    Read More

  • Powerful Words In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

    699 Words  | 2 Pages

    Such lines can be seen between Tybalt and Romeo before they fight when Tybalt says “Romeo, the love I bear thee can afford, No better term than this: thou art a villain” (III, i, 61-62). After Mercutio’s death, Romeo responds saying “Now, Tybalt, take the ‘villain’ back again” (130). These lines spark a fencing duel between Tybalt and Romeo that is ultimately won by Romeo. All in all, These lines cause the death of first Mercutio for defending Romeo’s name, and then cause the death of Romeo when he defends his own name. Romeo is adamant that Tybalt take “villain” back, and when he does not, Romeo takes matters into his own hands, fighting Tybalt.

    Read More

  • Mercutio To Blame In Romeo And Juliet

    573 Words  | 2 Pages

    Mercutio can be blamed for Romeo and Juliet’s peril because he initiated the fight with Tybalt and forced Romeo to go to the Capulet’s party. At the beginning of the play, Romeo gets invited to the Capulet’s party by a servant, unless he was a Montague. At first, Romeo did not want to go, but Mercutio eventually convinced him under the pretext that Rosaline, Romeo’s love, was going to be there. The next day, Tybalt, a Capulet, went looking for Romeo because he knew that Romeo was at the Capulet party. Instead, he stumbled upon Mercutio and Benvolio and asked them where he could find Romeo. However, Mercutio did not want to tell him and insisted on having a duel. Tybalt killed Mercutio during the fight, and Romeo kills Tybalt because he has the need to avenge his friend. Unfortunately, Prince Escalus punished Romeo by banishing him from Verona. This made Romeo and Juliet’s love

    Read More

  • Macbeth Tragic Hero Quotes

    921 Words  | 2 Pages

    A tragic hero is a person of noble birth or potentially heroic qualities. The role of a tragic hero is common in many of Shakespeare's plays such as Macbeth. The character of Macbeth is a classic example of a Shakespearean tragic hero. A tragic hero often has a noble background. This person is predominantly good, but suffers a terrible fate falling out due to glitches in their personality. The tragic hero has a monstrous downfall, brought out by their fatal flaw. Macbeth is named a tragic hero because he learns through suffering, he is isolated, and he exhibits personal courage in his acceptance of death.

    Read More

  • Three People, Two Deaths, One Great Tragedy

    737 Words  | 2 Pages

    Mercutio, though a minor character, had and enormous impact on the outcome of the play. Before the Capulet Ball, Romeo had been debating whether to go or not. Mercutio persuaded him to go by giving a big speech to him about a dream he had. This makes him partially responsible because the Ball is where Romeo first met Juliet. Mercutio also caused Romeo to be banished from Verona. Mercutio got in a fight with Tybalt and ended up dead. His death enraged Romeo enough to make him kill Tybalt in revenge. When the Prince saw what happened, he sent Romeo into exile. Romeo's banishment to Mantua made it near impossible for Romeo and Juliet to see each other. Mercutio was to blame, though only partially for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet.

    Read More

  • Troy Maxon And Oedipus Comparison

    761 Words  | 2 Pages

    When it comes to a tragic hero, many often mistake them as crime fighters such as a Batman and Superman. They are heroes without faults, who risk their lives to save the citizens and punish evil villains. But these are not characteristics of a tragic hero. Tragic heroes have faults and have downfall. They do not fight crime and save citizens. Examples of tragic heroes are Oedipus from Oedipus the King, and Troy Maxson from Fences. Both of these plays have similarities and differences when compared side-to-side. The similarity of both characters is they ultimately experience downfall, but only one of them accepts their fate and the other does not. The other difference is that one character is from nobility and the other is not.

    Read More

  • Romeo And Mercutio Relationship Essay

    521 Words  | 2 Pages

    Mercutio and Tybalt enter into a brawl over honor when Tybalt insults Romeo, speaking of Romeo as “a villain” and warning him that his actions, “...shall not excuse the injuries,” (3.1.62 and 67). Accordingly, Mercutio’s response is to stand up for Romeo describing Tybalt as of, “...dishonorable,[and] vile submission” and challenging Tybalt to a duel, baiting him, saying all he would like to do is take, “...nothing but one of [Tybalt’s]/ nine lives, that [he means] to make bold withal,” (3.1.78-79). Mercutio’s willingness to die on behalf of Romeo’s honor shows a great amount of fidelity to Romeo, which sadly leads to Mercutio's downfall. Promptly after Tybalt kills Mercutio, Romeo directly threatens him, giving Tybalt, “ the villain back again,” saying, “Either thou or I, or both, must go with [Mercutio]” (3.1.130 and 134). Romeo would still die for Mercutio, despite Mercutio’s persistent blaming of Romeo for his death, repeating, “ A plague o’ both your houses!” and saying, “I was hurt under your/arm.” (3.1.103/104,107-108). Romeo’s dedication to him and Mercutio’s friendship presents immense loyalty, undeterred by their

    Read More

  • The Tragic Hero in Shakespeare’s "Romeo and Juliet"

    769 Words  | 2 Pages

    In William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Romeo is "a tragic hero.” This is according to Aristotle’s definition, a tragic hero is a character “who is neither completely good nor completely bad, but also a member of royalty.” Romeo is a tragic hero because he does many good things, but many bad things, as well. For example, he is a Montague and he marries Juliet, who is a Capulet. This is prohibited, so Romeo is bad. However, Romeo does everything he can to keep Juliet happy and risks his life for her, which makes him good. Romeo is also a man of royalty because he is Montague’s son. Romeo’s character has many contradictions, which makes the audience think, “is he good or bad?” Asking these questions and not knowing the answer leads us to believe that Romeo is a tragic hero, according to Aristotle’s definition.

    Read More

  • Romeo And Juliet Forgiveness Analysis

    1159 Words  | 3 Pages

    After catching Romeo at a party he was not supposed to be at, Tybalt had it out for Romeo. Just after Romeo and Juliet’s wedding, Tybalt comes looking for him wanting to fight. Romeo does not want to fight because he now loves Tybalt since he is family to him, but neither Tybalt or anyone else knows this reason. Quickly, Mercutio steps in and tells Tybalt that he will fight him in honour of Romeo. Sadly, this led to the death of Mercutio.

    Read More

  • Character Analysis of Romeo

    1917 Words  | 4 Pages

    hid in the woods. We know now that he was consumed by his grief about

    Read More

  • Othello Dynamic Character

    723 Words  | 2 Pages

    Hamlet. Romeo. Othello. These men not only star in some of Shakespeare’s finest plays, but they are all classic examples of tragic heroes. A tragic hero is one who is courageous and admired but who has a tragic flaw that leads to his downfall. Othello was one of the greatest military men of the time. He was highly respected among his superiors for both his military prowess and level headed nature. This was a man who could be in the heat of a battle and would remain collected. Though this great hero also had great shortcomings. Othello was naive, jealous, and concerned with public appearance. Othello is truly a dynamic character. As the play continues and his jealous increases, Othello gradually changes from a flawless military general into

    Read More

More about Romeo A Tragic Hero Essay

Open Document