Impetuosity In Romeo And Juliet Essay

In the Shakespearian tragedy Romeo and Juliet two “star-crossed” lovers accumulate great admiration towards each- other while falling deeply in love, but what exactly led to their down-fall? Was it the Romeo’s tragic flaw of impetuosity? Or was it simply just fate? Although both could have played a role, I think the ultimatum was Romeo’s tragic flaw of impetuosity, and because of this Romeo was a tragic hero.

Romeo was one to often rush into things; it was made clear in many scenes that most decisions or actions Romeo took were rash, and given almost no thought. During the balcony scene (Act II, scene ii) of Romeo and Juliet, the two decided to get married after only knowing each other for a short amount of time. Whereas Romeo did not
But this wasn't the first time that Romeo rushed into things, he fell out of love with Rosaline just as fast as he fell into love with Juliet. Romeo was head over heels in love with Rosaline saying to Benvolio “Not having that which makes having short” by this he means he does not have the thing that makes time fly, which in his context is love. Romeo is heart-broken, “moping around” in the grove of “sycamore trees” after finding out that his love Rosaline does not having feels for him and wishes to remain celibate. Romeo is devastated to hear that she is wasting her beauty by wishing to remain absent from sexual relations, and is not hesitant to go to the Capulet’s party after Benvolio informs him that Rosaline will be attending. After seeing Juliet for the first time at this party which he went to for Rosaline he totally forgot about her and was deeply invested in Juliet. Romeo went to Friar Lawrence to speak of getting married to Juliet when Friar Lawrence said “Holy Saint Francis, what a change is here! Is Rosaline, whom thou didst’t love so dear so forsaken?” Friar Lawrence is asking Romeo, what has happened your dear Rosaline whom you had loved so much? Here it is suggested that Romeo’s