Romeo and Juliet, the Role of Immaturity in the Tragedy
By Peter Liu
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare tells a tragic love story between two teenagers from feuding families. The story has considered this to be a tragedy caused by fate. However, evidence from the play suggests that it was the immaturity of the two young lovers that caused them to take risks which prove to be fatal.
Romeo’s words and actions in the play prove his immaturity. The Prologue of Act 2, lines 1 and 2 states that, “Now old desire doth in his deathbed lie and young affection gapes to be his heir.” From this, the audience can tell that Rosaline has long forgotten by Romeo, and that his only love is Juliet. The fact that Romeo had a sudden change of heart from a girl who he loved for a long time to someone who he just glanced at shows a great deal of immaturity. This was evident when Romeo saw Juliet and said, in Act 1 Scene 5, “Did my heat love till now? Forswear it, sight. For I never saw true beauty till this night.” This quotation also suggests that Romeo judges love only by physical appearance, where an adult might prioritize personality and connection. Romeo is also very fragile, and unable to face the consequences of his own action. This was shown in Act 3 Scene 3 when he tried to commit suicide because of his banishment for killing Tybalt. If he had been more mature, he would have tried to resolve his problem instead of escaping. Romeo, overall, is an immature and fragile person who fears facing the conflicts that he encounters.