Romeo And Juliet Tragic Hero Characteristics

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Is Romeo a Tragic Hero Essay
Aristotle once defined a tragic hero using six distinct characteristics that can be used to define many tragedies. These traits can be applied to the epic tragedy and love story, Romeo and Juliet. Many people claim that Romeo is not a tragic hero based on Aristotle’s characteristics while others argue that he very much is. Romeo is considered a tragic hero because his character fits the tragic hero characteristics: his downfall is partly his own fault; he is not perfect; the fall is not pure loss (Allinsby)
Romeo is shown to be a tragic hero when he attends the Capulet dinner party to see who he believed was his true love, Rosaline. While at the party, which he was not allowed to attend because of his family name, …show more content…
After Tybalt killed Mercutio, Romeo’s best friend, Romeo furiously informs Tybalt that, “Either thou or I or both, must go with him.” After Romeo kills Tybalt, Benvolio states, “Romeo, away, be gone! The citizens are up, and Tybalt slain. Stand not amazed, The Prince will doom thee death” (Allen 1092, lines 122-128). Romeo had previously just married Juliet and was in a very delightful mood so when Tybalt aggressively approached him, he shrugged it off. Mercutio did not understand Romeo’s pleasant mood when his life had just been threatened so he courageously fought Tybalt to defend Romeo’s honor which caused him to die. Enraged, Romeo stepped in and slew Tybalt then immediately after realized what he had done and that it will have detrimental effects. Romeo is human just like us and has the same urge to act on his first thoughts and initial emotions and let it get it the best of him. The prince declares to everyone in the streets of Verona thar, “If you ever disturb our streets again, your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace” (Allen 1041 lines 89-90). Even though Romeo knew the cost of fighting Tybalt but it did not matter to him because he was only thinking short term and was not thinking about the consequences. Romeo let his angry emotions inflict on what he knew was right and moral and in the end …show more content…
A Capulet mournfully tells a Montague, “As rich shall Romeo’s by his lady lie- Poor sacrifices of our enmity” (Allen 1145, lines 303-304). Not only did it take the death of Romeo to make the two feuding families end their disputes but it took two deaths, Romeo and Juliet’s. The Capulets and The Montagues decided to build statues for both the child of the opposite family because they now know that their hatred for each other has cost them their children's lives. The Capulets asked a Montague to, “Give me thy hand. This is my daughter’s jointure, for no more can I demand” (Allen 1144. Lines 296-298). The Capulets apologize to the Montagues for their feud that cost them both one or more beloved family members. Both groups are asking for forgiveness and do not want their children's sacrifices to be in vain so they use this opportunity as a chance to grow and become friends with each
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