Examine how the Characters of Romeo and Juliet change during the course of the play

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Hannah Torne

                                                                        

Examine how the Characters of Romeo and Juliet change during the course of the play

ROMEO

Romeo’s character changes quite significantly throughout the course of the play. We first meet Romeo in Act one Scene one of the play, in which he comes across as an immature and sulky individual “Ay me, sad hours seem long”. This also gives the impression that he is self-absorbed, and the fact that he appears to fall in love easily suggests that he is also fickle.

During Act 1 Scene 4, Romeo is finally persuaded by Mercutio into attending the Capulet party, however he was not initially willing to go, suggesting that he is not capable of making his own decisions and is influenced by his friends, this further solidifies his immaturity.

Despite this immaturity, even Old Capulet, who is an enemy of the Montague family, knows Romeo as a “virtuous and well governed youth”.

We first see a change in Romeo’s character in Act one Scene five (the party scene) when he changes from a brooding, sulking character into an impulsive and romantic one.

He expresses his feelings towards Juliet through passionate, impulsive gestures (for example kissing her when first meeting her) and poetic language – “ O she doth teach the torches to burn bright. It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night”. He also shows the kind and loving side of his character – “my hearts dear love”

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During Act two Scene two, Romeo first shows responsibility, when he agrees to be married to Juliet, he then proves that he is well organised and has the ability to make his own decisions when he goes to Friar Lawrence and arranges to be married in Friar Lawrence’s cell, but is forced to do so in secret and so portraying him as devious and secretive.

However, although Romeo appears to be growing in stature and maturity, he still remains boyish and immature when with his friends in Act two Scene four when he teases the nurse – “here’s ...

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