Examples Of Tragic Flaws In Romeo And Juliet

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What literary elements distinguish Shakespeare’s renowned tragedies? One common characteristic found in most Shakespearian tragedies is that their main heroes exhibit tragic flaws. A tragic flaw, or hamartia, is a character trait that leads one to his/her own downfall or destruction. In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Romeo’s tragic and fatal flaw is his impulsiveness.

In the first two acts of Romeo and Juliet, Romeo exhibits his impulsiveness and when he capriciously falls in love with Juliet at the Capulet party. “ROMEO… Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! / For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night” (1.5.52-53). Romeo, despite having been in a depressed state from his heartbreak over Rosaline earlier in the act, is quick to change his mind and declare that he Juliet is his first and only love. Even more so, Romeo does not yet know Juliet’s name and has never interacted with her before; his infatuation for her is at-first-sight and is based purely on …show more content…

"ROMEO. Wilt thou provoke me? then have at thee, boy! / [They fight]” (5.3.70). When Paris confronts Romeo, Romeo tells him that he should leave quickly because Romeo is desperate and high-strung. After Paris refuses to do so, Romeo, instead of explaining his good intentions, fights Paris simply because he is in the way. His impulsiveness made him think irrationally, so he senselessly kills Paris. "Thou art not conquered. Beauty’s ensigno yet / Is crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks, / And death’s pale flag is not advancèd there” (5.3.94-96). Romeo notices that even though Juliet has been “dead” for nearly two days, she appears as if she is still alive. Rather than pause and allow himself to reflect on this observation, Romeo acts on poor judgment, overlooks this fact, and decides to drink the poison anyways. Hence, impulsiveness produces the tragic climax and ending of the play by compelling Romeo to take his own

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