Character Defense: Romeo
We perceive that Romeo is innocent due to his apparent love for Tybalt and his clear disesteem to the brawl unfolding. He wanted to advent the violence thrust upon him by his love (Tybalt). He cared too much to fight him but when a good life-long friend, Mercutio, is murdered in front of his very eyes he is shaken to the core. He did this while not in the correct state of mind, cleary in a haze of sorrow and guilt not yet fully comprehending the effects of his actions. His gentle altercation with Tybalt defines his love for his friends and family.
Romeo acts as an arbitrator between Tybalt and Mercutio because he understands the repercussions of the impending clash. He tries his best to reason with Tybalt by saying “I do protest, I never injured thee, But love thee better than thou canst devise.” Meaning that he won 't fight because he is related to him through marriage. Tybalt, not knowing of their secret wedding ignores Romeo’s comment, continuing his goading of Mercutio.
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He feels much pain coursing through his blood from his friends murder, possibly due to the fact that he made him stop fighting leaving him vulnerable to the fatal blow of Tybalt. Though Mercutio isn’t the only person Romeo feels sorry for, even when innocent he still feels sorrow for Tybalt mainly in the fact that he is his cousin-in-law. After Tybalt is slain Romeo states, “O, I am a fortune’s fool.”(p 49). This is his recognition of of the misfortunes that have befallen him with his cousin-in-law and best friend. The tragedy that occured in the streets of Verona clearly left romeo as emotionally injured as anyone else. He cannot be held responsible for something that leaves him in a state just as sad as the dead. That is where the question needs to be asked of why would Romeo kill to feel just as much pain as the deceased. Romeo feels too much guilt to be the killer mentally at the