Blake Israel

Mr. Hakim
ENG 112
27 March 2015
Masterful Character Development: An exploration of irrational behavior.

People often act without thinking, causing harm to themselves and the society
surrounding them. This universal trait, still prevalent today, has been part of humanity
since the beginning of time. Weather its police officers behaving inappropriately to
protests or the titanic only bringing enough lifeboats for 1/3 of the passengers because
they claimed it was unsinkable.. In the play Romeo and Juliet irrational behaviors is
Romeos tragic flaw. Romeo falls in love with Juliet a family member of the sworn
enemies of Romeos family. Romeos impulsive behavior leads to the tragic suicide of
both Romeo and Juliet. As the play advances, Romeo becomes a complex character
beginning irrational and ending irrational.
Throughout the play, Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare demonstrates
multiple ways in which Romeo is irrational. Romeos love is completely superficial. In
the beginning of the play, Romeo is taking to Benevolio about his love, Rosaline: Alas
that love, whose view is muffled still,- Should without eyes see pathways to his will!
-Where shall we dine? (1.1.181-84). Romeo how sadly and crazily in love he is when he
completely changes to the subject about where he and Benevolio are going to dinner. The
quick subject to change to something unrelated to love shows how this love is not true to
him because if one is truly heartbroken, he would be in sorrow not worrying about where
one is going to dinner. As the scene continues, Benevolio suggests to Romeo that he

should start to look at other women. Romeo replies with he that is stricken blind cannot
forget-the precious treasure of his eyesight lost(1.1.248-49). Romeos dramatic language
indicates that he will never be able to look at another woman because Rosaline beautys
is unrivaled. Romeo is hyperbolizing. He has not seen all the women in the world and to
say one is the most beautiful is a irrational statement showing how Romeo is irrational.
Romeo in behaves irrationally throughout Act 2 of the play adding to his
irrationality. Romeo meets Juliet at party. Romeo continues proposing to sneak into the
house of Juliet where if he is caught he would be killed to try to get to see her again.
Romeo says, my life were better ended by their hate-Than death prorogued, wanting of
thy love (2.2.86-87). Romeo is risking his life for a girl he just met not even knowing
weather he would see her. Romeo is acting irrationally, although his reasons say he is
motivated by love which is based off looks and some kisses. Romeo goes onto propose
to Juliet that night a couple of hours after they met. Romeo proposes, The exchange of
thy loves faithful vow for -mine(2.2.137-38). Romeo after one night at a party and
meeting of a girl believes he has found the love of his life. Romeos main reason for
going to the party is to find Rosaline the love of his life, but instead finds a different
girl he believes is even more amazing. Romeo then asks her for marriage. His outrageous
actions demonstrate how irrational he is while looking for the love of his life he finds a
different girl on the quest to find his love, and proposes.
Romeo adds to his complexity by becoming even more irrational in the end of the
play. Romeo impulsiveness often get him into trouble. While Benvolio and Mercutio
were talking, Tybalt approaches them looking for Romeo to fight him for going to his
familys party. Romeo at this point in time is married to Juliet, Tyablts cousin. Tybalt not

knowing continues to try to fight Romeo by insulting him and calling him a coward.
Mercutio then in an effort to stand up for Romeo duels Tybalt and ends up being slain
under Romeos arm. Romeo then becomes angered and when Tybalt returns Romeo in
anger duels him; Staying for thine to keep him company- either thou, or I, or both, must
go with him(3.1.123-24). Romeo goes onto to kill Tybalt and then Romeo gets banished
from Verona. Romeos anger and refusing to think before behaving caused to him to
behave irrationally. Romeo while banished receives a message from Balthazar that Juliet
had died. With no message from the Friar who was the one keeping updated on the plan
to sneak them together, Romeo heads into Verona where Juliet lay so he can kill himself
and be with Juliet. Romeo on the way buys drugs to he can kill himself. Once there once
he enters the tomb and kills himself by her side; Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I
- die(5.3.120-21). Romeo knew the friar would keep him updated on the plan and
without think or contacting the friar proceeds to kill himself due to Juliets death even
though she is alive. Romeos irrational actions and thoughts eventually lead to his demise
in the end of the play.
As the play comes to an end Romeo is a complex character beginning irrational
and ending just as irrational. Shakespeare presents a character as complex as Romeo to
provide the reader someone to follow and relate to throughout the play. Romeos
irrational behavior has taught the lesson of thinking out your actions and that every
decision one makes it will have consequences. Romeos behavior and actions connect to
the theme of the inevitability of fate. Romeos connect to this through no matter what
decisions Romeo seemed to make things just became closer to the inevitable; that the
only way the star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet could be together is in the afterlife.