How Is Romeo Foolish

Although Romeo believes everything he does is the best course of action, many actions Romeo takes show that he is both irresponsible and often foolish. For starters, Romeo tends to act in the heat of the moment which got him in various bad situations. This happens many times throughout the play and is demonstrated in the lines where Romeo is flirting with Juliet after just meeting her “Romeo:(taking JULIET’s hand) If I profane with my unworthiest hand/ This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this:/ My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand/ To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss” (1.5 91-94). This quote shows how Romeo tends to act without thinking as he has just met Juliet for the first time. His quick decision making after only meeting Juliet once leads to him pursuing Juliet further causing him to love her more. Second of all,

This occurs throughout the whole play and leads to some of the most pivotal events occurring in the play such as in the scene where he jumps in between Mercutio and Tybalt when they fight “Romeo: (Draws his sword) Draw, Benvolio. Beat down their weapons./ Gentlemen, for shame! Forbear this outrage./ Tybalt, Mercutio! The Prince expressly hath/Forbidden bandying in Verona streets./ Hold, Tybalt! Good Mercutio! ROMEO tries to break up the fight/ Tybalt stabs MERCUTIO under Romeo’s arm.”(3.1 81-85) This quote demonstrates that Romeo acts without thinking beforehand as if it weren’t for him trying to get in the way of the duel between Tybalt and Mercutio, Mercutio would have stood a better chance against Tybalt. If Mercutio would have won the duel Romeo would not have killed Tybalt in revenge and thus would not be banished from Verona causing him to be taken away from Juliet. In conclusion, Romeo has good traits but also has some flawed characteristics that lead to major plot points that caused Romeo and Juliet to