Describe Romeo's character up until the point where he kills Tybalt. Include details of the changes you have observed. Compare and contrast the character of Tybalt with Romeo.

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Describe Romeo’s character up until the point where he kills Tybalt.  Include details of the changes you have observed.  Compare and contrast the character of Tybalt with Romeo.

Romeo Montague is one of the two leads in Romeo and Juliet.  Throughout the play, his character changes often, from the lovesick, obsessed Romeo at the beginning to the angry, murderous Rome when he kills Tybalt.  His character is totally different to Tybalt, a member of the Capulet family, who is hotheaded and arrogant.

At the beginning of the play, Romeo has locked himself away because he believes himself to be in love with Rosaline, a Capulet.  He has locked himself inside of his room and is refusing to talk.  Montague, Romeo’s father, says that he is “black and portentous”, and his “tears augment the morning dew.” Benvolio says that he saw him, and that he “gladly fled” showing that he did not wish to make company.  Due to his self-exile, he is unable to be involved in the fight at the start of then play.  After the fight has taken place, his mother, Lady Montague, says that she was “Right glad I am he was not at this fray,” indicating that he would almost certainly have taken part in the fight, if he had been present.  Eventually, Romeo comes around and talks to his friend.  He says that “ sad hours seem long” without Rosaline and that he is “out of her favour when I am in love.”  He also says, “o brawling love”,” loving hate” and “O heavy lightness”.  These are oxymorons, and they indicate the confusion occurring in Romeo’s mind.  Also, in the same scene, it is said that that “This is not Romeo, he’s some other where!” showing that Romeo does not usually behave like this, and he speaks of Rosaline using elaborate and complicated language, an example of which is “The all-seeing sun ne’er saw her match since first the world begun.”  He responds to Mercutio’s joking and fooling with serious comments, like “under love’s heavy burden do I sink!” and “I have a soul of heavy lead.”

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Romeo is also a person who can fall into and out of love very easily, which is shown the instant he sees Juliet for the first time. “She doth teach the torches to burn bright”, “like a rich jewel in an Ethiop’s ear” and “For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night” and some of the things that indicate this.  The day after meeting Juliet, Romeo, according to Mercutio, is back to his normal self, by saying “Now thou art sociable, now thou art sociable.”  Another indication of this is during the verbal sparring they have.  During this, it ...

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