Romeo as a Sympathetic Character in William Shakespeare's Play

Romeo as a Sympathetic Character in William Shakespeare's Play

Romeo Montague is the main male character in "Romeo and Juliet". We

can see his importance in the title of the play; he is named in the

title of the play. In act I scene V, the Capulet Ball Scene, he gate

crashes his great enemy Capulet Ball to see the girl he loves. In the

Capulet Ball, he wears mask and stands aside. He does not dance. This

scene marks the first meeting of Romeo and Juliet. Romeo is attracted

by Juliet's beauty and falls in love with her without knowing who she

is. Their first speech is a sonnet. At the end of the scene, he

realises that he has fallen in love with his enemy. By act II Scene

II, the Balcony Scene, after the party, he leaves his friends and

finds Juliet at the back of the house. Romeo woos her at the balcony

and declares his love. By the end of this scene, he decides to arrange

to marry Juliet.

Although he is a romantic character who wins the heart of the girl he

loves, Romeo's character is often unsympathetic in the two mentioned

scenes. We can tell that Romeo is impetuous and immature as he gate

crashes the Capulet Ball and takes risks of being killed to see the

girl he likes. This action shows his reckless character that he does

not think of his life. This reckless character can also be found in

the Balcony Scene. He secretly stays in the Capulet Garden and takes

risks of being killed again. In the garden, he suddenly speaks out to

Juliet but he does not realise that this rushed action frightens

Juliet. His immature character can be found in the speech he replies

to Juliet when Juliet warns him;

'Alack there lies more peril in thine eye

Than twenty of their swords; look thou but sweet,

And I am proof against their enmity.'

as he wants to stay and convince Juliet. He is more immature when

Juliet warns him again.