Romeo is the classic romantic hero–even modern songs use the image of Romeo (“Love Story” by Taylor Swift) to represent what every girl hopes to one day find. However, after having read two scenes of Act I, is Romeo the stuff of dreams? Do you think the love-sick characteristics of the Romeo we currently see in the play is the kind of romantic hero we imaged him to be? Explain your answer and refer to the text with Act, Scene, lines: (i.e. I.II.5-10) sorry, correction–use all arabic numerals: (1.2.5-10).
Ms. Gutierrez's 8th Grade English
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March 31, 2009 at 7:45 pm
I definitely did not picture Romeo in my mind as he was portrayed in the book. He is almost a little depressing to me. Romeo says that “love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs; Being purged, a fire sparkling in lovers’ eyes; What is it else? A madness most discreet, a choking gall, and a preserving sweet.” It is interesting to see how differently he acts from how most people state he is.
April 1, 2009 at 2:07 pm
I do not think that the Romeo in the book could completely live up to some of the standards of modern women. Therefore, he is not the romantic hero that I thought that he was. In the book Romeo is a depressed character who wants to please and be pleased. He refuses to look ate the “other fish in the sea”, claiming that the one whom he loves is the only one for him (I.I.192-236).
April 1, 2009 at 2:46 pm
I expected Romeo to be a romantic nice guy, but the way he acts in the book he is more like a depressed teenager who hates life. He is talking about how loves stinks and he can never love anybody else. He states”Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs” and “A madness most discreet, a choking gall and preserving sweet.” (I.I.197-200).Romeo is definitely not what modern women would like in any time including today.Hopefully Romeo will come to his senses and start acting like a gentleman so Juliet will love him.
April 1, 2009 at 2:50 pm
When I first read the book I never thought that Romeo would be that lovestick. In the book Lady Montague asks where Romeo is (I.I.115-120). Then they say that Romeo runs around the forest at night, and stays in his room during the day (I.I.120-145). They also see him crying, and upset (I.I.120-145). This is not the kind of Romeo or prince charming a girl would picture.
April 1, 2009 at 2:51 pm
I agree with Sasha when she says that he has to stop acting love sick in order to make Juliet love him.
April 1, 2009 at 2:53 pm
I allways thought Romeo was supposed to be so romantic because he gave everything to be with Juliet and it was a forrbiden love. I now believe that after reading some of the play that Romeo is a depressed and obessive alomst stalker like to Juilet. I agree with Gislene when she said that Romeo can’t live up to the standards of modern women and he doesn’t. Modern women wouldn’t like a guy they just be watching them on their balcony and easdroping on them. They would probably think it was creepy and call the police and never talk to him again. Spome of the things Romeo said that led me to belive that was “See how she leans her cheek upon her hand. O, that I were a glove upon that hand,That I might touch that cheek!” (II.2.23-25) Overtime people created Romeo into the character they wanted to be instead of the depressed character he is.
April 1, 2009 at 2:57 pm
I didnt picture romeo either the way that he was in the book. No hero is really that deperate for love and he really is not a hero, he is just a person trying to catch a girl.
April 1, 2009 at 3:00 pm
I expected Romeo to be a sweet lovey-dovey type of person. He is more manly than i expected. He is very depressed and mad. And Juliet is less feminine also than i expected (1.1.175-190).
April 1, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Sorry, I posted my response to the qtsomething one I had some wierd problems with my computer.
I agree with Rachel that Romeo is not the prince charming you would think he would be.
April 1, 2009 at 3:46 pm
When you are young, you are told many fairy storys and almost every little girl has a picture of their own prince charming. In the book, Romeo escapes from his land to go to Juilet’s land. In Juilet’s mind, he his perfect, even though they have only seen each other once before that. Juilet can see nothing wrong with him, he is Mr.Right in her mind, but from an outsider looking in knowing more of Romeo’s story than Juilet, he is not so perfect. I agree with Sasha that Romeo is not who most pepole would think he actually is.
April 1, 2009 at 3:46 pm
I agree with you Billy, I don’t think that Romeo is a hero he is just trying to pick up a girl. I also agree with Moorea, I think that Romeo is way too depressed to be The “hero” that you think he would be.
April 1, 2009 at 3:56 pm
I don’t think that Romeo is the stuff of dreams because of what Billy said that Romeo is just another guy out for a girl. I don’t think that a hero should be sick with love the way Romeo is.
April 1, 2009 at 4:02 pm
I did not think Romeo was a dismal kid. I though Romeo was going to be more romantic and manly. He keeps changing his mind on who he is in love with. Romeo’s friends are like dragging him to the ball but Romeo is like fine ill go but i won’t enjoy it. At the ball when Romeo is talking to Juliet he is trying to impress her way to much by saying 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. 101-105.). This would make a regular female scared and never go out with you then. It makes Romeo sound like Prince Charming As Rachel said.
April 1, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Romeo is not the person I thought he would be. He is a little like a hero but he is really depressed in the start of the book. Ithink that he will change once him and Juliet fall in love.
April 1, 2009 at 4:17 pm
I agree with Sam. When you are young you are told that a prince charming will come and sweep you off your feet. But when you read the book Romeo is depressed and sad that he cant find love.
April 1, 2009 at 4:46 pm
For me Romeo did not live up to what I thought he would be in the book. I feel that growing up we all thought that Romeo was the manly man, but really I think that is was the intention of Shakespeare to make Romeo a character that just wants women for pleasure. It is pretty obvious from what Romeo says. “She will not stay the siege of loving terms, nor bride th’ encounter of assailing eyes, nor ope her lap to saint-seducing gold.” (1.1.220.)
April 1, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Sorry actually (1.1.221-223).
April 1, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Like Gabe said he isn’t the stuff of dreams. People love the idea of him, a poor soul tormented by forbidden love, and it inspires sympathy. In the book however he is simply a love obsessed and slightly self absorbed rich boy.
April 1, 2009 at 5:13 pm
I was suprised by Romeo’s personality, and I know other people were, too. I was expecting a strong, powerful young man that met Juliet somehow and, over time, fell in love with her. Instead, Romeo is a depressed young man who complains about love but won’t do anything about it. He also fell in love with Juliet in a mater of minutes, which suprised me. In general, Romeo seems to be infatuated with Juliet, and he says to her (seconds after meeting her), “If I profane with my unworthiest hand this holy shrine, the gentle sin this is: My lips, two blushing pilgrims ready stand to smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss” (1.5.104-107). Romeo called Juliet a shrine upon meeting her! This is very different from what I expected Romeo to say and act like.
April 1, 2009 at 5:15 pm
I agree with Evan. A hero should not be sick with love throughout the whole book.
April 1, 2009 at 5:18 pm
I always pictured a “Romeo” to be intelligent, a charmer, and a guy who didn’t just blow off love but cared about it. Instead of just contemplating and finding a love, all he does and says revolves around his love life! He describes love in a dimal and depressing way, and instead of blowing of love he thinks too much about it and blows off his friends. I also think he shouldn’t judge the girl by how she looks, which is what he seems to be doing. It didn’t seem that he had even talked to Rosalina, but all he did was think about her. As he is mopping about the party, he says, “One fairer than my love? The all-seeing sun Ne’er saw her match since first the world begun” (1.3.98-100). This shows just how shallow he is, that he would talk of Rosalina like this then dump her for a prettier, more fast witted girl. He is very good at the pick-up line, but that is not what I would call a charmer now a-days. He is shallow, but can be witty, not very charming and cares way too much about his love life.
April 1, 2009 at 5:21 pm
I agree with Josh that Romeo is thought to be manly, but instead he is a sad figure desperate for love. It is suprising to me that Juliet would even like a random stranger calling her a holy shrine and kissing her twice.
April 1, 2009 at 5:24 pm
It says Romeo just stays in his room all day, and he just runs around in the forest at night. He is crying and so deperessed. (1.1.120-145). I definitely did not think that romeo would be so depressed like he is in the book right now. I mean i understand about he is a teenager, but he is too depressed.
April 1, 2009 at 5:25 pm
I agree with Giseleine. He couldn’t live to the standards of todays women. He would probably be slapped a lot. I also agree with rachel l that a girl usually wouldn’t want some one who stays in their room and runs around the forest.
April 1, 2009 at 5:26 pm
i agree with gabe and billy. I think he is a player. He was all depressed about Rosaline but when he saw Juliet, he was like oh! who is that girl and kissed her right away. I think he is just trying to catch a girl like what billy said, and he is not a hero but a player.
April 1, 2009 at 5:31 pm
Like many people have already mentioned, Romeo isn’t everything he’s cracked out to be. His way of just, “instantly falling in love” is unhealthy, and he shouldn’t so crazy over some new girl. Take his first words to Juliet, for example. “I profane with my unworthiest hand This holy shrine, the gentle sin this is: My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss” (1.5.104-107). A little bold and overwhelming for someone’ he’s just met. Plus, Juliet taking Romeo’s love bait eggs him on to become extremely obsessive and even dangerous.
April 1, 2009 at 5:41 pm
I think Romeo is the perfect guy in some ways, but definately not in other ways. Romeo s sweet, but far too devoted. He falls in love with Juliet the second he sees her. That doesnt happen in real life. For example Romeo goes a tad bit over board with his pick up line to Juliet; “I profane with my unworthiest hand. This holy shrine, the gentle sin this is: My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand to smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss” (1.5.104-107). This is far too aggressive
April 1, 2009 at 5:42 pm
I also expected romio to be, like a prince charming but I guess that there was more to the story. And i’m with Jhosh and Evan here, I agree that a love story is dull without adventure.
April 1, 2009 at 5:42 pm
I agree with David, Gabe, and Billy. I think he plays girls too. he falls madly in love at first sight? I don’t think so. I think it’s an act to get girls.
April 1, 2009 at 5:48 pm
i think romeo is that kind of person which the frist time he meets with a girl he tries to say really nice and sweet things for the girl to fall in love with him or think that he is areally nice guy to be with. the first time he meet juliet he tried to say really nice things for juliet to like him.as billy sad i do not think he is a supper hero.
April 1, 2009 at 5:56 pm
“Romeo and Juliet” is a love story that has been being read for many years, even before our parents’ days. I say this because, so many people have read this. So this must mean that Romeo is the heart-hrob that every girl dreams of finding but there’s always a reason. I personally do not think that I have read enough of the play to realize what so many people see in this Romeo character. He say sin scene five that he is to be faithful to his Rosaline and that no other is for him. But then he sees Juliet. I’m sure Romeo is not the only boy in the pst who has done this. I want to know why he’s such a symbol of true love and find out how faithful a true he really is.
April 1, 2009 at 6:24 pm
I think that we haven’t given Romeo a fair shot at this and that we are judging him too early in the book. I think that he is portrayed as a love-sick man because it shows how important finding love is to him. If he really didn’t care about love or finding the girl of HIS dreams, then he never would have pursued Juliet and the story would fall to pieces. So we need to see the sad, depressed boy, deprived of love before we can see the passionate, romantic hero that every girl dreams of. Also, we have to remember that this is a tragedy and note a love story. Everything doesn’t have to be perfect between these two lovers. We have also seen the lighter side of Romeo’s life. We see Romeo going to parties and almost enjoying himself with his friends (I.IV.41-50). So, I think that we should read on and see if he becomes the dreamy romantic hero before completely shutting him down.
April 1, 2009 at 6:25 pm
I might be confusing in this post.
I beleive that romeo is somewhat what i saw but not truly i still picture the moments like the “But soft,what light through yonder wondow breaks?”(II.II.69)
and of course “It is the east, and Juliet is the sun”(II.II.69) but at the beginning you have Romeo just sulking about over Rosaline(cousin of Juliet)(I.I.23)and then goes off and sees Juliet at the ball(I.V.53-61)And then after that they have the romantic balcony scene(II.II.69-83). Over all i belive that once he gets going in a relationship hes all good and such being very romantic but once he’s out of one he gets all depressed and sulks and it doesnt look like the Romeo that some see.
April 1, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Jen, I think that when he says “He will stay truthful to Rosaline,” he is only thinking of Rosaline. Mercutio see’s this and tells him that there are other fish in the sea (I.III.32-33). Plus, he can change his mind if he wants to. He isn’t a saint, but rather just a normal boy. As I recall, isn’t it a woman’s perogative to change her mind. And if women can do it, why can’t poor old Romeo. I think because we have byas opinions about Romeo that we expect so much of him in the first few scenes. Shakespeare is just building up the character so he can explode Romeo with passion and romance.
April 1, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Please excuse my last post. I meant to say prerogative, not perogative. Just a misspelling. No harm done. Right Mrs. Gutierrez?
April 1, 2009 at 6:33 pm
woops i did pg #’s…
(II.II.2)
(II.II.3)
(I.I.216-218)
(I.V.48-160)
(II.II.1-205)
All in order
April 1, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Please excuse my last post. I misspelling the word prerogative. No harm done. Right Mrs. Gutierrez?
April 1, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Whoops. I posted twice. Excuse my insolence.
April 1, 2009 at 6:43 pm
I agree with Madison. I had expected Romeo to be manly and way tougher than the lovesick kid he is. I don’t think that the Romeo in the play is the modern girl’s dream guy because I think that most girls wouldn’t want their boyfriend to be so sulky and miserable. I don’t really think that the Romeo we see right now is the perfect guy that he is refered to. In the begining he is depressed over Rosaline and when is told to check out other girls does this huge speach of how Rosaline will be his only love. Then he sees Juliet and completely forgets about Rosaline. Right now Romeo is totally not the romantic hero, well he’s romantic but he’s not really dreamy romantic more depressing emo romantic. After he gets into a good relationship with someone who he really cares about he might become the romantic heroic Romeo who is every girl’s dream guy, but I don’t know.
April 1, 2009 at 6:53 pm
I completely agree with Sasha and David. I mean, Romeo is portrayed as this romantic hero and what not, but after reading some of this play, I just think that he is a lovesick, depressed, teenager who doesn’t know what he wants. First he says that he will never find any woman as beautiful as Rosaline and then he sees Juliet and then Rosaline is completely forgotten! I don’t see how he is such a symbol of true love and how every girl wants a man like him, but maybe it’s like Jen said, maybe I just need to read more so that I can find out more about Romeo.
April 1, 2009 at 6:53 pm
sorry I wasn’t able to add any quotes from the book!
April 1, 2009 at 6:58 pm
I’m loving this discussion! Nice job responding to each others ideas and supporting your thinking with reference to the text. Don’t forget to proofread or copy/paste your post from a Word document to cut down on errors.
April 1, 2009 at 7:07 pm
I kind of agree with Jen. I believe that Romeo must have been considered a heart-throb, but I do not believe that this is true compared to modern standards. Many women, but mostly girls, say that they want a hot guy who will be good to them. Also many females like a guy who is happy. I percieve Romeo as a guy who is depressed about somethings, then when he sees Juliet, all of is woes vanish and he is “in love” with Juliet.
I do not agree with any of the people who have said that Romeo is a player. He is not a despicable person, or a person who solicits… (see definition on Dictionary.com) I think that he is either confused, or just wants to be with Juliet for the adventure of sneaking around behind their parents backs.
April 1, 2009 at 7:08 pm
I don’t think Romeo is the classic image we think of him today. Instead I think he is very creepy, dark and just plain weird. On page 71 Romeo is outside of Juliet’s house and, he is talking to himself and watching Juliet. To me this seems very strange. In today’s age an act like this would not be considered very romantic.
April 1, 2009 at 7:10 pm
As much as I agree with everyone who said Romeo isn’t exactly “Prince Charming,” I also agree with Giseleine that Romeo is not a player. If you look back in the book, he doesn’t like the idea of looking at other girls after he has lost his only love. Had he been a player, he probably wouldn’t have really loved Rosaline in the first place or fallen in love with Juliet.
April 1, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Romeo is surely a very smooth talker, but in my point of view, this book sets up a fake dream that all girls wish to have. It’s unrealistic when Romeo walks up to Juliet and holds her hand and tried to swoon her with his sweet talking. Romeo comes off as kinda creepy to me. Eric said it too. I totally agree with him. If i were Juliet, I’d be running away. Basically, Romeo is too good to be true.
April 1, 2009 at 7:34 pm
i agree with Rachel l when she says about Romeo acting like Prince Charming and then Sasha with the love sick to make Juliet fall in love with him.
April 1, 2009 at 7:50 pm
I always thought of Romeo to be the kind of guy that would do any thing to make you happy. in the book he is very very obsessed with Juliet. When he was out side her window he mutters to himself “See how she leans cheek upon that hand. O, that I were a glove upon that and hand, that i might touch that cheek.”(2.2.23-25) As kelsey said he is kind of a creep and i would definitely run away too!!
April 1, 2009 at 7:51 pm
I think that all of you have good ideas and I agree with almost all of you Romeo is baby in that he is alwase complaning to evryone boo hoo!!! Get a grip life is unfair!!!!
April 1, 2009 at 7:59 pm
I agree with billy, he is just a lost guy who is depressed and is just looking for a date or a girlfriend.
April 1, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Romeo is no at all what i thought he would be like. He is not the prince charming that i thought he would be, but actually he is kinda depressing. all he does is complain about his life and girls. In 1.1.120-145 he is moping around and not acting at all like the prince charming he is made out to be.
April 1, 2009 at 8:02 pm
I agree with nick that the way he acts took me by surprise. He was not at all what i thought he would be.
April 1, 2009 at 8:12 pm
I was deffinetly shocked as Mike was that Romeo was more maly but i am also surprised that Juliet is so into sins and praying, “lips that they must use in Prayer” 1.5.113
April 1, 2009 at 8:13 pm
And I also agree with graham and Billy Romeo wants his fairmaiden
April 1, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Hm, this is a tough question. I have read all of your coments while trying to find away to express my own views on this matter. I had originally bellieved that Romeo would be a little older, not in body but more in the mind. I think that he should have been a little less fickle, first loving one, then another. Even though Juliet has expressed her feelings towards the individual that we all call Romeo, we do not know why. For a few points, she does not know what he looks like, what his personality is, or his name for that matter until she asks the maid (1. 5. 150-155). It seems to me as if Romeo is after girls for what they look like, he has fallen in love with a girl, or women whatever you would like to call her, for her intense beauty. He sulks and dreams about Rosaline during the day in the begining of the book when he discovers that Rosaline wants to live a chaste life (is this all guys in this book think about?), and then when he meets Juliet, he realizes that Rosaline was not meant to be his true and only love, but Juliet. He also changes personalities too fast. Most girls, at least in this day and age, would not want their boyfriend to be interested in looks only, and so being under pressure of every minute of every day just to keep up their boyfriend’s interest. Romeo is a very depressing character, Juliet is more stable emotionally. Romeo is a flimsy person, staying up only be the threads of interest that plague his mind. For some girls, Romeo is too good to believe that that type of person exists at all, and for the others; he is not good enough, as he looks at the outside of a person, and not their personality.
I think that is all that I have on this subject, although, if I thought about it more, i could come up with some. This must have been a wierd question for the boys in the class to answer. I apologize for all mis-spelling and other various gramatical errors.
~Illianna
April 1, 2009 at 8:15 pm
My last coment was also a little redundant, and very long, sorry!
~Illianna
April 2, 2009 at 7:15 am
Romeo seems to fall in love to easily. Immediately after seeing Juliet Romeo forgets Rosaline. Before even talking with Juliet Romeo said the following:
“For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night” (I.V.59-60).
It seems really weird to me that Romeo completely forgets Rosaline upon seeing Juliet’s face. Keep in mind that this is the same Romeo who was constantly talking about how perfect Rosaline was. Personally, I don’t believe in love at first sight. It seems like Romeo forgot about Rosaline really easily. Despite all of that weirdness though, I must admit, Romeo has a gift with words. In that way, at least, he can live up to all the expectations of people who haven’t read the script.
“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” (I.V.104-107).
April 2, 2009 at 8:03 am
I don’t think he’s the hero that he is in the book because he wants to find love so fast so badly and I just think he’s really desperate and he just wants a girl to be with because he went from juliet’s cousin to Juliet really fast
April 2, 2009 at 5:49 pm
*This post is only using presumptions based on Romeo’s character so far. It is as of yet unknown whether or not his character will evolve.*
I think the Romeo/Romeo-esque character portrayed in popular culture these days is radically distorted from the Romeo portrayed in the play. Over time, people have molded the image of Romeo into something more appealing and rational. The Romeo portrayed in the book does not fit this description at all. Although he is debatably quite romantic (hold up… is his name derived from the same root as romantic?), he is awkwardly direct to say the least. He also treats “love” not as a valuable commodity, but merely as a superficial bonus providing only momentary enjoyment. For example, he obsesses over Rosaline, but just as quickly forgets her upon simply seeing Juliet. The cliche, “love at first sight,” that often stems from the play is somewhat contradictory. It isn’t possible to tell personality by sight, and since it is advisable to fall in love with someone you can tolerate, love at first sight doesn’t make sense. To use the overquoted passage that has come up so many times:
“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” (I.V.104-107).
How was Romeo supposed to know that Juliet wasn’t, to put it bluntly, a total jerk? He just jumped in head first without taking any time to figure out who Juliet was and if she was actually someone he liked.
April 4, 2009 at 1:31 pm
I thought romeo would be more honest… hiding in the bush’s and watching your girlfriend while talking to yourself is not really honest just creepy
April 6, 2009 at 3:46 pm
I think that Romeo is starting to get a liitle creepy. He is really in love with Juliet, and they have known each other for almost a day now. He has not really thought about it, just the other day he was crying over Rosoline, and now he does not want anything to do with her. He just wants somebody to marry, so he can be thought of as cool.