Why Is Romeo A Tragic Hero

In Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare the main character, Romeo, is a tragic hero. He is a main character who has a good outlook on life but then his whole life falls apart and he dies because of his fatal flaw. Romeo’s fatal flaw is his impulsive emotional reactions. Romeo is newly wed to Juliet when he walks up on Tybalt and his friend Mercutio fighting. He tries to stop the fight but Tybalt kills Mercutio.Later Benvolio tells the prince that “Tybalt hit the life / Of stout Mercutio, and then Tybalt fled.” (Shakespeare lll.l.177-178). This dastardly act enrages Romeo and when Tybalt comes back, Romeo tells him, “Either thou or I, or both, must go with him” (Shakespeare lll.l.134). Romeo has decided to get revenge due to his emotional response to avenge his best friends life.

This is also his downfall because it gets him banished from Verona. That is why the plot to get Juliet smuggled to Manatua is formed and why Juliet is thought to be dead. This mistake on Romeo’s part leads to his, Paris’s and Juliet's death. This fatal slip was destined to happen. After killing Tybalt , Romeo cries “O, I am fortune's fool” (Shakespeare lll.l.142.)which means that fortune ordained this and it was just bad luck. He couldn’t have prevented it. His emotions lead to his misfortune or event leading to his downfall and death. Romeo’s misfortune was falling in love with Juliet. If he had not fallen in love with Juliet, then he wouldn’t have tried to prevent the fight between Mercutio and Tybalt. Tybalt would not have gotten the chance to cheap shot Mercutio. Romeo wouldn’t have gotten kicked out of Verona which set the stage for Romeo and Juliet's