Act 3 Scene 3 Of Romeo And Juliet by William Shakespeare

Act 3 Scene 3 Of Romeo And Juliet by William Shakespeare

Act 3 Scene 3 is a perfect example of Romeo's despondent persona. The

events that take place in Friar Laurence's cell occur right after

Romeo's marriage to Juliet. Romeo's devastation by the news that he is

to be banished from Verona after murdering Juliet's cousin, Tybalt,

had led him to seek guidance from Friar Laurence. Although this may

seem understandable, Romeo is melodramatic and gives the impression

that he is an over-the-top teenager. He illustrates this when he says;

"Ha, banishment! Be merciful, say 'death'.

For exile hath more terror in his look".

Romeo claims that if he were to be banished from Verona, it would be

worse than death. He does not stop to try and find a solution but

condemns himself to a life of misery without Juliet. A typical hero

would now concoct a plan to save himself from being exiled. However,

Romeo is only a teenager and it shows in this scene. While the Friar

tries to console him, Romeo ignores his words and wallows in

self-pity. This is elucidated when, after Friar Laurence says that

"the world is broad and wide", Romeo replies;

"There is no world without Verona walls,

But purgatory, torture, hell itself".

Romeo fails to see that he is being shown mercy by the Prince who

banished him. He compares exile to torture and hell. Romeo compares

this to cutting "my (Romeo's) head off with a golden axe". To speak of

death as banishment is like cutting off a man's head with a golden axe

- it's still fatal. The Friar becomes angry with Romeo for his

melodramatic response to banishment and calls him a "fond (foolish),

mad man". The Fri...

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... solutions to his

problems, such as when Tybalt comes to fight him. Romeo tries to be

reasonable, but Tybalt kills his friend and Romeo, being only a

teenager, is filled with anger and so gets his revenge. Also with the

County Paris, Romeo implores him to leave as he does not wish to

fight, yet Paris does not listen and Romeo is forced to defend

himself.

Ultimately, while Romeo is thought to be a well-mannered youth by the

majority of the town, that decision is made from Romeo's actions

before the play is set. This is before Romeo becomes broken-hearted by

Rosaline, and is infatuated with Juliet. During the play itself, Act 3

Scene 3 is mostly typical of Romeo's behaviour throughout. Although

for some parts Romeo conducts himself in a more mature manner, he

mostly acts exactly what he is - a love struck teenager.