Jorn Krider

Ms. Price

English I Honors

30 May 2018

A Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder, also known as manic depressive illness, affects many people

indiscriminately. It forever stains their ability to perform simple everyday tasks and should be

treated as soon as symptoms are recognized. The mental illness generally includes manic and

depressive episodes. In the manic episodes, the patient has overly high self-esteem, trouble

sleeping, and does many high risk activities like gambling. The depressive episodes include

opposing symptoms such as forgetfulness, little energy and interest towards activities, and

suicidal thoughts (National Institute of Mental Health - Bipolar Disorder). In the Shakespeare

play Romeo and Juliet, the tragic hero and main character Romeo’s personality connects to many

of the previously said symptoms, such as high self esteem, taking high risk decisions, and

suicidal thoughts, which easily fits a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder.

One of the three main symptoms he possesses is high self confidence. An example of this

is found early in the play, when Romeo confronts Juliet on the balcony. He tells her “...For these

stony limits cannot hold love out and what love can do, that dares love attempt. Therefore thy

kinsmen are no stop to me.” (Shakespeare 72-74, II, II). Despite being drunken with love, he

exclaims to Juliet nothing can stop him. This proves his self-esteem is soaring because he is

acting very carelessly against the law for Juliet’s love. Romeo is therefore showing the first

symptom of someone with Bipolar Disorder. He says nobody will stop his love with Juliet, a
Capulet, despite himself being a Montague. These levels represent a manic episode and

confirming a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder.

Manic episodes may also consist of other symptoms. A prime trait is taking high risk

activities very recklessly, and Romeo does much of this throughout the play. One of the best

representations of this is again on the balcony scene when he hastily proposes to Juliet. He says

“Th’ exchange of thy love’s faithful vow for mine” (Shakespeare 134, II, II). He represents the

risky trait because of how quickly he decides to marry Juliet. Typically, marriages develop over

a longer period of time because they are mutual efforts of both husband and wife and don’t come

along often. Without Romeo’s emotional development to Juliet, this hasty choice obviously

comes with many risks. Henceforth, Romeo is now proven two successful traits that correlate

with Bipolar Disorder. Both being high risk and high self esteem, however, Romeo also

possesses traits that deal with the more depressive episodes such as suicidal thoughts.

Despite the evidence against Romeo having Bipolar Disorder, many people believe he

has depression, but they fail to see depression of an overall down in mood. They also may have

suicidal thoughts, loss of interest in previously interesting activities, etc. (verywell.com,

Depression Symptoms). However, as proven before Romeo has many other contradicting traits

against depression. Those who believe he has depression think he purely shows signs of

depressive episodes and a generally low state of mind, which is not the case. Evidence of these

..depressive states do exist, an example being when he goes to the impoverished apothecary and

asks for a deadly poison to potentially kill himself with. Even though this shows depression like

stages of his state of mind, it ends up representing it poorly and fails to be a stronger argument

because Romeo also represents and expresses many conflicting traits to the previously mentioned

depressive stages. An enticing representation of his greater mood swings is when he wants to
avenge Mercutio after falling to Tybalt: “And fire-eyed fury be my conduct now . . . Either thou

or I, or both, must go with him” (Shakespeare, 129-134, III, I). This thoroughly overrides any

evidence of him having depression consistently throughout the play because depression does not

include having a fighting spirit and rage inside of someone, but rather a lack of interest in those

activities. Because of all previous information, Romeo may seem to express depression heavily,

but in the end the recurring instances of Bipolar Disorder trump all else.

In conclusion, Romeo of the play Romeo and Juliet contains all of the exemplary

characteristics to be diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. Overly high levels of self esteem, high risk

taking without afterthought, and eventual suicidal thoughts are just a small glimpse of what else

Bipolar Disorder may contain. Many people around the world are diagnosed with this tragic

mental disorder, and need help. It affects anyone, anywhere and can completely ruin someone’s

physical, mental, and emotional lifestyle. Nevertheless, Romeo is only one of many people that

could or do have Bipolar Disorder. Friends and family could be showing early signs, and should

be treated as soon as possible.