Thereafter we see Romeo’s character develop a great deal. The main reason for this seems to be Juliet, before the Capulet masque Romeo mentions “being but heavy” of heart, and also saying he has a “soul of lead” due to his ‘love’ for Rosaline. Before the masque Romeo’s language was very loose and melancholy and the way in which he was behaving appeared to be very complacent. However at first glance of Juliet his language becomes very precise and to the point. He uses well-structured metaphors to describe his feelings and Juliet's beauty. “She doth teaches the torches to burn bright…for I ne’er saw true beauty till this night”. This language also leads us to believe that Romeo is truly in love and is somewhat mature. However the fact that Rosaline was so surely Romeo’s love before hand cannot be ignored. Juliet may also be just an infatuation on Romeo’s behalf except this time Juliet returns his feelings. The very rushed exchange between them only has eighteen lines in the play and this reinforces the ‘lust’ between them. This therefore implies that Romeo’s character has not necessarily ‘developed’ in this section of the play. The chorus in act two scene one backs up this point as it mentions “Alike bewitchèd by the charm of looks”. This suggests that Romeo and Juliet's ‘love’ for each other, is merely based upon appearance.
I believe that in act two, scene two Romeo’s character shows maturity and much the opposite from his complacency and immaturity of his infatuation for Rosaline. His language is very mature and he compares Juliet to the sun. “Arise fair sun and kill the envious moon, who is already sick and pale with grief”. This could be perceived as a metaphor for the moon being Romeo’s ‘love’ for Rosaline being “killed” by Juliet, making Rosaline jealous. If this were the case it would show great development from Romeo’s state of mind at the beginning of the play. The way Romeo controls himself whilst Juliet is unaware of his presence also indicates a development in his character. Instead of the passionate, full on love he had for Rosaline, Romeo chooses to admire Juliet from afar as opposed to making himself the centre of attention. Again when Romeo shows himself to Juliet the pace of the exchange quicken showing passion between the lovers yet the conversation is slower than at the masque. Romeo is very persistent and not phased by the possibility of being caught by Capulet watchmen who “if the so see thee, they will murder thee.” This shows Romeo’s commitment to Juliet as he is prepared to face death to see Juliet.
When Romeo asks Friar Lawrence to marry himself to Juliet it shows a lack of development in Romeo’s Character. The timescale in not clear in the play yet it is easy to say that Romeo has not known Juliet for much more than a day. This then shows that Romeo lacks a maturity and patience in his character and as the Friar points out “they stumble that run fast”. However in this scene Romeo’s character almost contradicts this statement with the language he uses. It is very plain and without metaphors or other devices, this shows that he is being sincere. “Plainly know my heart’s dear love is set on the fair daughter of rich Capulet”.
After Romeo slays Tybalt he goes to see his wife for the last time as he has been banished. At this point Romeo’s character seems to be somewhat complete in contrast to his character at the beginning of the play. He is very controlled, mature and serious. Juliet begs him to stay and tries to convince him that it is still night time so he will not leave yet “envious streaks do lace the severing clouds in yonder east. Night’s candles are burnt out”. This shows clear and forward thinking from Romeo as if he were to stay any longer he would almost certainly be spotted by the city guards and be executed. Yet here he is resisting Juliet and this will enable him to see her in the future.
The last act presents a mixed opinion in whether Romeo’s character has developed and it also shows the character has developed in different ways. When Balthasar informs Romeo that he has seen Juliet dead, Romeo asks no questions and immediately makes his way to an apothecary where he buys “a dram of poison, such soon speeding gear” and then he proceeds to kill himself at Juliet's tomb. He does this against the advice he receives from Balthasar and without consulting his apparent good friend the Friar. This shows a lack of clear thinking and he allows himself to be ‘caught up’ in the moment. However this does show a great devotion to Juliet and it is a symbol of his love for her. It shows he is committed to her and that she is what he lived for. In this respect it shows a great maturity and a huge development from the character at the beginning of the play.
In conclusion I believe that Romeo’s character has developed a great deal throughout the play. In some respects the character does not develop but that is often proved wrong in different parts of the play. Shakespeare also uses Mercutio’s character as a conformation part of the way through the play that Romeo has changed “now art thou Romeo: now art thou what thou art”.
