Romeo and Juliet - Character Notes
Jay "Romeo" Duffy
Here are some pointers on Romeo and Juliet, written by a 3rd Year student. If you want to get the most out of the bullet points below, you should find the page numbers for the key moments mentioned and select a quote that you can use in your exam answer.
Romeo
Juliet
Romeo
- Emotional/Melodramatic - when we see him first, he is pining for Rosaline. We see this later in the play again, when the Friar tells him that he is to be banished from Verona. Romeo flings himself to the ground and cries "womanish" tears.
- Poetic - "With love's light wings did I o'erperch these walls" and celestial imagery during the balcony scene.
- Brave - he fights Tybalt, Prince of Cats.
- Hot-headed - the fight with Tybalt is unwise and leads to terrible consequences. "I am fortune's fool."
Juliet
- Practical - in contrast to Romeo, she keeps her emotions in check during the balcony scene and warns him to leave or he will be killed. She also insists on a commitment from Romeo before the relationship continues.
- Independent - She stands up to her father when he suggests a marriage to Paris.
- Courageous/Willing to Act - She carries out the Friar's plan despite the dangers involved.