When people hear the word “hero” they usually don’t think about the word “tragic”. A tragic hero is a great or virtuous character in a tragedy, destined for downfall, suffering, or defeat. Aristotle also thought about the ideas of a tragic hero. William Shakespeare proves this through his character Romeo in Romeo and Juliet. Romeo’s family is of high status and virtuous. Romeo’s punishments exceed his crimes and his tragedies arouse many “unhealthy emotions of fear and pity. Romeo’s actions prove he is a tragic hero. The story of Romeo and Juliet entices the reader as the tragedy proceeds through the scenes.
One tragic hero trait Romeo has is his “high status position and virtue”. For example Capulet says” To say the truth Verona brags of him to be a virtuous and well governed youth’ “(Shakespeare 827). Capulet’s statement proves that society thinks highly of Romeo. He is willing to allow an enemy to stay at his ball because of his demeanor. Also Juliet says “So Romeo would, were he not Romeo called, Retain that dear perfection which he owes without that title, “(Shakespeare 839). Juliet explains that Romeo would still be a noble young man without the title Montague. She would still love Romeo if his name was different. The nurse Romeo is, “an honest gentleman, and a courteous, and kind, and a handsome” young man, (Shakespeare 857). The nurse thinks Romeo is a good guy even though she prefers Paris. She cannot take away the fact that Romeo is in love with Juliet.
Another tragic hero trait that Romeo has is his pre- eminently great or non- perfect appearance. For example Montague says “Away from light steals … and private in his private in his chamber pens himself, “(Shakespeare 812). Montague’s statement explains his son flaw to...
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...how he feels when he hears of Juliet’s death. He goes and buys a deadly poison to end his life. An example, “Wilt thou provoke me? Then have at thee boy! [Fight]… [Paris falls and dies],” (Shakespeare 922). In this statement Romeo feelings of helplessness and anger overwhelm him and he kills Paris. His mixed emotions were not handled in a safe way. These examples show how Romeo portrays the traits of a tragic hero.
As Romeo proceeds through the play he reveals many characterics that show him as a tragic hero. Romeo’s trait to jump conclusions led him to an early death. This loss was not pure loss because he finally got to be with his true love. The many tragedies Romeo endures during the play keeps the reader enticed and very interested. Romeo is not the town superhero or famous in any way he is a normal guy who endures in many downfalls, suffering, and defeats.
In the end Romeo is responsible for five deaths, Mercutio, Tybalt, Paris, Juliet and himself. Juliet kills herself because she is under different circumstances and does what she feels is the only option left. Juliet is courageous and strong for seeking advice and not being overly sensitive. Romeo is not only weak and foolish but is responsible for the tragic death of his own and Juliet’s.
Works Cited:.. Shakespeare, William. The. Romeo and Juliet. Eds. Maynard Mack and Robert Bayton.
A tragic hero is a character born of noble birth who shows great qualities but has a major downfall due to their tragic flaws. Throughout Romeo and Juliet, both Romeo and Juliet have tragic flaws. Though Romeo shows clear signs of tragic flaws, Juliet Capulet is the tragic hero because she meets the characteristics perfectly.
These lines demonstrate that Lord Capulet believes that Romeo is a dignified gentlemen with a reputation in Verona for being virtuous and well behaved. To conclude, Romeo is virtuous,respected, and born of high social status that makes him of noble birth.
Romeo seems to let his emotions control his actions. Between Romeo and Juliet there is many
The well known plays of Shakespeare contribute their recognition to the characters. In his plays, characters are made to imitate people. His most famous play Romeo and Juliet is a great demonstration of this. Shakespeare shows the complexities of the characters in Romeo and Juliet, such as their actions and their emotions, through juxtaposition. Juliet is conflicted about her feelings about Romeo once she hears that he had killed Tybalt.
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.
...tion the audience does he confronts Romeo and loses his life in a fight. In the most heartrending instance of dramatic irony, Romeo kills himself after seeing Juliet in her grave. Romeo’s death is all the more tragic because the audience is aware that Juliet is in fact not dead, and had this information gotten to Romeo neither him nor Juliet would have died.
Juliet’s weakness to be controlled by love leads her to make unadvised and irresponsible decisions that contribute to her choice of ending her life. Characterized as a young and rash teenager, with no interest in love and marriage at first, Juliet wants to be independent. However, after she first lays eyes on Romeo, Juliet’s perception of love is quick to change. Their strong love easily manipulates and clouds her judgment. Even if she is cautious and realizes their love is too fast, the rush of feelings from having a first love overcomes her.
Romeo’s numerous rash decisions demonstrates his great impulsiveness. Romeo at first grieves over his unreciprocated love for Rosaline, but after he sees Juliet; he forgets about Rosaline entirely. His hastiness leads him to make decisions that are not intelligent or to his benefit. Shortly after meeting Juliet, he asks her to “exchange [her] faithful vow” for his ( 2.2.132). Romeo’s recklessness is evident that he does not think before he makes important decisions; prompting him to propose to Juliet just hours after their first meeting. Yet the morning before, Romeo was suffering from depression because he could never have his Rosaline. After what seems like a lifetime of loving Rosaline and promising to never love anyone but her, Romeo sees Juliet and instantaneously all his thoughts of Rosaline vanish. Romeo becomes infatuated with Juliet, with whom he exchanges less then fifty words before “falling in love.” The next morning he begs Friar L...
In a tragedy, the tragic hero is a literary character that makes judgmental errors that will ultimately lead to his/her destruction. A tragic hero is a person who is born into noble life, with heroic qualities summoned by a higher activist, to suffer great suffering. The purpose of a tragic hero is to get rid of the audience's fear with suspense and overriding. The tragic flaw of a hero sets the character in downfall, or a tragic ending. Aristotle defines a tragic hero more as a noble birth more often than others as well as a man of noble birth with heroic qualities who shifts into a flaw or misfortune due to their mistakes, that really brings out the character's self.
What really shows a person’s true character? Is it their sense of humor or how they react in different situations? This could be true – however, wouldn’t it be clearer to compare their character traits to contrasting personalities to clearly understand who they are. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare tells the story of star crossed lovers whose love leads them to their death. The characters in this play are very complex, especially Romeo. He is passionate, idealistic, romantic, impulsive, stubborn, sensitive, impatient and kind. Since Romeo has so many different layers, it can be hard to clearly understand him. However, characters like Mercutio, Friar Laurence and Tybalt can help. Comparing foil characters to Romeo’s passion and impulsiveness
Romeo is a good character for many reasons. First, he is very romantic to the woman he loves. Romeo treats Juliet with care, respect, and kindness, making him a good husband. He compliments her beauty repeatedly throughout the play. For example, in Act 1 Scene 5 line-41-42 Romeo says to Juliet, “Which lady is that, which doth enrich her hand/ Of yonder knight?” He is struck by how beautiful she is and he wishes to touch her and be enriched with her beauty. Also, in Act 2 Scene 2 lines 4-6, Romeo speaks to Juliet from her garden. He tells her that she is impossibly beautiful by saying, “Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, / Who is already sick and pale with grief, / That thou her maid art far more fair than she.” This proves Romeo to be good because it shows how much he cares about her and the way he treats her makes her feel good about herself. This is important because it builds up her confidence...
Aristotle’s idea of a tragic hero describes a perfect person who ventures off and learns some kind of a valuable lesson. However, to William Shakespeare, tragic characters do not meet the usual description. His tragic characters have a high social status but are not perfect. Although they have character flaws, their misfortune is not fully deserved. Romeo Montague, the main character in Romeo and Juliet, is typical of Shakespeare’s tragic characters. By Aristotle’s standards, Romeo Montague should be classified as a tragic hero because of his high status, his character flaws and his misfortune.
A person’s actions are driven by their dominant traits. These traits can be both a person’s greatest strength and weakness. This is clearly depicted in William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. In this play, many characters have some dominant trait that displays a new perspective to the tragedy of Verona. The Nurse and Friar Laurence use their knowledge of the world, and their love for Romeo and Juliet, to influence the play and the protagonists.