Romeo: The Tragic Hero Like most Shakespearean plays, “Romeo and Juliet” exemplifies Shakespearean astonishing comprehension and ability to write tragic plays. The simplest definition of “tragedy,” a serious disaster or a sad event, blatantly describes the horrific story of two “star crossed lovers. ” While reading the fatal tale of Shakespearean novel, Romeo and Juliet, a reader indulges in terrific medieval tragedy.
Although the prologue by the chorus tells the stories conclusion, six distinctive characteristics of a tragic hero is exemplified through the novel that a reader should look for while attempting o identify the tragic hero – noble Stature, tragic flaw, free choice, the punishment exceeds the crime, increased awareness, and produces catharsis. Although Romeo, the tragic hero of the novel, displays examples of all six elements, in the following analysis, three elements are discussed – noble stature, the punishment exceeds the crime, and produces catharsis.
First, Romeo, the son of the powerful Montague, holds a high noble stature in Verona. In Act 1, Benevolent makes reference to his “noble uncle,” Lord Montague, declaring his high class in Verona’s society. Even Lord Caplet offers to Romeos stature at his party and states “Verona brags of him… A bears him like a partly gentlemen. ” The Prince of Verona himself warns the Montague and Caplet family to end their family’s feud, not an enforcer of the law, but the Prince. All of which exemplifies Romeo as a nobleman. Secondly, Romeo possesses the tragic flaw of falling in love too quickly.
In Act 1, Shakespeare introduces a young man hopelessly in love with Rosalie. Romeo states, “Not having that which makes having short,” illustrating the depth in which Romeo believed he was in live with Rosalie. Romeos family and friends attempts to cheer him up but depression is the conqueror until he meets Juliet. Phillips Racking, author of “Shakespeare Tragedies,” states ” if Romeos character does have a tragic flaw, it is it is youthful impetuosity; an older or more deliberate man might somehow have managed to avoid the quarrel and would not rush to kill himself as soon as he believed that Juliet was dead. Lastly, the audience feels a great deal of catharsis for Romeo and his young bride, Juliet. Catharsis is a feeling.
