Is Romeo a Tragic Hero?
Playwright Shakespeare is known for his world famous tragedies. The most recognized tragedy is the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. A play of love between two eternal enemies which ends in bloodshed and death. Many people argue whether Romeo was a tragic hero. An epic hero has the six characteristics which Aristotle described in his book Poetics. Romeo fits this model accurately . Romeo is a tragic hero because he was a character of noble standing and greatness, his downfall was his own, and although he is great he contains his own flaws. For a character to be considered as a tragic hero they must be of high social status and greatness. The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet begins with the chorus reading the prologue for the entire play, and the chorus reads , “Two Households alike in dignity”. The definition of dignity is “the state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect”. During Elizabethan age people only respected and admired those above them, and most everyone was a peasant anyone above them were either nobles or of high social rank. The two households mentioned are the Capulet and Montague. Lord Capulet talks to Lord Montague after their children’s death, and exclaims “ Oh brother Montague”. The capitalizations of the name tells us he is referring to the head of the household or The Lord; Lord
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The character Romeo embodies the being of a tragic hero throughout the novel; Romeo is of noble birth, he has flaws, and his downfall was his own. Romeo is an easy character to connect with because although he is elevated in society he is not perfect. The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet rouses the unpleasant emotions we often try restrain, and leaves in a state of wonder. Romeo teaches us that rushing life is not the way to go and that is something we can all take to heart. Romeo is the tragic hero and will be the model of all tragic heroes after