The Downfall of Romeo in Romeo and Juliet

Romeo throughout the play is a victim of his own character. Although I'm not going to forgive Romeo for everything he did during the play, there are valid reasons why he got into a lot of trouble. Romeo is a young man who makes decisions in the heat of the moment. Because of this, he is unable to realize the long term consequences of his actions. Romeo makes a big deal out of everything that is going on around him. This plagued him greatly and was probably caused by his lack of life experience. Romeo has to deal with a lot of things that most teenagers don't have to go through. He brought all of those things upon himself because of his young, passionate character. Romeo constantly talked about love guiding him and that he can't be hurt. He even asked at one point why he had become "fortunes fool." Romeo's belief that fate would dictate everything was his biggest downfall. A lot of the things that Romeo did throughout the play could have been avoided with some common sense. He should have realized that he was making a big mistake when he couldn't go to his parents at all for advice on the marriage.

Romeo's love for Juliet supports my opinion that his own character got him into trouble. Romeo fell in love with her after he had his heart ripped out by Rosaline. He only wanted to have a physical relationship with Rosaline. This exposes the intense passion that teenagers feel when all they care is about is short term satisfaction rather than a long term relationship. Romeo was unaware of his passion for Rosaline, making him feel even more upset when she broke the news to him. At the party, Romeo questions himself as to if he had ever truly loved before he laid eyes on Juliet. Another mistake that Romeo made throughout the play was that he failed to learn from some of his mistakes. He loved Juliet the same way he loved Rosaline. Juliet however said that they could only be together if they got married. Romeo's youthful feelings are displayed again when he proposes to Juliet, who is not even fourteen years old yet and has only been together for less than 48 hours, to get married as soon as possible.

Romeo could have avoided killing Tybalt for a variety of reasons. Romeo has just been married and now he has been summoned to fight a new member of his family. Although he killed Mercutio, Romeo could have realized the consequences of harming Tybalt. Romeo's tendency to over dramatize events that happen around him can be found in his lust for Rosaline. Romeo had to be convinced by Benvolio to go to the Capulet party. Romeo didn't want to go the party until he found out that Rosaline would be there also. He could have easily let go of her instead of holding on to someone that doesn't want to be with him. Fate was not the reason why Romeo went to that party. Romeo also made a big deal over a situation that he had little knowledge about. It was tragic how he ended up killing