Romeo Character Analysis (AQA GCSE English Literature)

Romeo is a passionate, impulsive and idealistic young man whose intense love for Juliet drives him to make reckless decisions, ultimately leading to his tragic downfall.

Romeo character summary

Why is Romeo important?

At the beginning of the play and Romeo is depicted as:

• Romantic and idealistic: Romeo is introduced as a character deeply in love with the idea of love. Before meeting Juliet he is infatuated with Rosaline, describing his feelings with poetic language and exaggerated emotion. Benvolio describes him as foolishly wallowing in self-pity in a sycamore grove for his “love”, Rosaline: “She hath forsworn to love, and in that vow / Do I live dead, that live to tell it now”. He becomes infatuated with Juliet at first sight too, although his love for her is more intense and genuine. Romeo’s idealistic perspective is evident through his instant willingness to marry her, even though they belong to feuding families.

• Impulsive: Romeo's impulsive nature is evident from his first appearance where he falls in love with Juliet. He is immediately captivated: “O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright”. His impulsive decision to marry Juliet without considering the long-term consequences demonstrates his tendency to act on emotions rather than logic.

As the play unfolds, Romeo becomes increasingly involved in tragic circumstances and is portrayed as:

• Reckless and emotional: Romeo’s reckless behaviour intensifies as his love for Juliet deepens. His decision to kill Tybalt out of revenge is driven by emotion and marks his turning point in the play. His inability to temper his emotions (both love and anger) leads to his exile and downfall.

• Tragic hero: Romeo’s idealistic view of love, impulsive choices and unwavering devotion to Juliet define him as a tragic hero. Romeo’s death by his own hand is both dramatic and romantic. He takes the apothecary’s poison and dies at Juliet’s side, believing that he is joining her in death.

Romeo’s use of language

The language Shakespeare uses for Romeo, from elevated iambic pentameter to rhyming verse and hyperbolic statements, reflect his impulsive and romantic nature.

• Iambic pentameter and rhymed verse: Romeo frequently speaks in iambic pentameter giving his words a rhythmic and elevated quality that aligns with his role as a romantic, noble character. This formal style also conveys his youthful idealism and deep emotions, especially when expressing his love for Juliet.

• Hyperbole: Romeo frequently uses hyperbole to express the overwhelming nature of his love for Juliet. By exaggerating his feelings, he conveys a love which is all consuming. For instance he declares “Call me but love and an' I’ll be new baptis’d; / Henceforth I never will be Romeo”, suggesting that his identity, family ties and even his name are insignificant compared to his love for Juliet. His use of hyperbole also demonstrates his youthful impulsiveness.

• Emotive: as the play progresses, Romeo’s language becomes increasingly emotional and shifts towards more monosyllabic expressions, reflecting his growing sense of desperation. For example, Romeo’s initial reaction to Balthasar’s shocking news about Juliet’s death is one of disbelief, shown through his questioning “Is it e’en so?” His mood quickly shifts to anger as he exclaims “I defy you and stars!” and his behaviour and language becomes increasingly erratic and emotional. 

Romeo key quotes:

Romeo character development

Romeo character interpretation

Love in Elizabethan Verona

At the time the play was first performed, Verona was reputedly famous for its ill-fated lovers. It was said to be the setting of a tale by Luigi da Porto which featured the young lovers Romeo Montecchi and Giulietta Cappelletti, which is believed to have inspired the story of Romeo and Juliet. This underscores the authenticity of the lоve between the two characters.

Suicide and religion

During Shakespeare’s era, suicide was considered a grave sin by his predominantly Christian audience who believed it would result in eternal damnation. The audience were perhaps unlikely to have felt sympathy for Romeo’s and Juliet’s sinful acts, although society may have been more accepting of an honourable suicide. Alternatively, Romeo and Juliet's final act could be viewed as a powerful testament to the depth of their love and their thoughts of suicide are used to illustrate the desperation they feel in their separation.

Astrology and fate

Romeo is aware of the power fate holds over his life: “O, I am fortune’s fool!” Astrology captivated Elizabethan audiences who widely believed that the stars and planets influenced emotions and destiny. During this period, people sought ways to understand and explain how much control they had over their own lives. Some of these ideas were rooted in the philosophy of the 6th-century Roman thinker Boethius who suggested that life is governed by both God and fortune.