Romeo And Juliet Greed Quotes Analysis

1491 Words6 Pages

In the play Romeo and Juliet, by Shakespeare, there are many important moments leading to the death of Romeo and Juliet. Romeo and Juliet’s fatalities at the end of the play were caused by a variety of actions, yet the trait of greed is the most prominent. The characteristic of greed is built into every character in the play. However, the characters are greedy in different ways. Montague and Capulet are greedy because they refused to end their dispute even though it brought harm to their family and citizens. Friar Lawrence is greedy because he cared more about himself than anyone else. Greed is also present in Romeo and Juliet because they refused to be satisfied with the things they did have and focused on what they couldn’t have -- …show more content…

Both Romeo and Juliet come from wealthy and powerful families that control almost their entire city. They can have anything they want, do anything they want, and be anything they want, except interact with the opposing family. In short, they are spoiled. Despite this, they were both still miserable. Romeo and Juliet are extremely greedy because the one thing they can not have they want -- each other. At first, it was lust, but then lust became greed. Romeo and Juliet were both attracted to each other, but when they realized they couldn’t have each other, the attraction grew. In the play, Romeo gets easily upset by the things he cannot have, almost like a little child. When Romeo realizes he can not have Rosaline, his first love, he puts up a huge fit. He complains and exclaims that he will never be happy again all because he is too ungrateful to be happy for who and what he has. When Romeo realizes he can not have Juliet because of the feud, he gets even greedier. He will not rest until he has Juliet. Friar Lawrence realizes this and tries to get Romeo to slow down at first by saying, “Young men’s love lies not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes” (2.2.71-71). Romeo saw how beautiful Juliet was and immediately knew he had to have her. It was not love controlling him at first, but lust. As soon as Romeo realized that Juliet was a Capulet, he wanted her even more. Romeo was purely being driven by greed. However, Romeo is not the only one at fault. Juliet was especially greedy. Capulet gave Juliet a wealthy, handsome, generous man that wanted to marry her, but Juliet wanted more. She did not want to settle for Paris, the man so easily obtainable, which is why she went after Romeo. The thrill of going against her parents pushed Juliet towards Romeo and away from Paris. “Romeo and Juliet centered on whether the play is a tragedy of fate or of character, that is, of