Being a beginner at anything is difficult, especially when that thing is

love. In Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet, Romeo is a youthful lover

from the Montague family who crashes a party hosted by the Capulets,
a hated enemy of the Montagues. He then falls in love with the
Capulet, Juliet. Romeos party crashing angers Tybalt, Juliets cousin,
who challenges Romeo to a duel. The duel results in Tybalts death and
Romeos exile. After Romeo and Juliet marry in secret, Juliets father,
unaware of Juliets marriage, requests that Juliet marry the nobleman,
Paris. In an attempt to escape with Romeo, Juliet fakes her death.
Unaware of Juliets fake death, Romeo believes she has actually died
and proceeds to kill himself. When Juliet wakes up, she sees Romeo
dead and decides to end her life as well. In Shakespeares Romeo and
Juliet, Romeo matures from his originally immature character and
becomes more complex at the end of the play, while maintaining his
rash character established in the beginning.
Shakespeare develops Romeos rash character in Act 1, Scene 1
through indirect characterization. Romeos rash character is shown
when Benvolio asks him why he is sad, Romeo replies, A sick man in
sadness makes his will, A word ill urged to one that is so ill (1.931.94). Romeos response to Benvolio was caused by his unreturned
feelings for Rosaline a girl who he only recently met illustrating
Romeos rash character. Romeos immaturity is shown in he says
Heres much to do with hate but more with love. Why then, O brawling
love, O loving hate, O anything of nothing first created! O heavy
lightness, serious vanity, (1.65-1.68). Romeos sadness caused by a
girl he believes he loves, but only just met, characterizes him as an
inexperienced and immature lover, unsure if his love is real or just lust.
Romeos growth as a complex and mature character is further aided
through Shakespeares use of blank verse in Romeos speeches. When
admiring Juliet, Romeo says to himself: Arise, fair sun, and kill the
envious moon, Who is already sick and pale with grief, That thou, her
maid, art far more fair than she. (2.2 5-6). Romeos soliloquy about
Juliet reveals his shift from immature rhyme to mature blank verse.
Romeos rash character is preserved and further demonstrated in act 2
when Romeo quickly asks for Juliets vow: Th' exchange of thy loves
faithful vow for mine. (2.2 127). Romeos eagerness to exchange
vows with someone he only recently met shows his further developed
rashness and immaturity. Romeos target of affection quickly switches
from Rosaline to Juliet in only a short amount of time despite him
believing that Rosaline was his true love. Romeos quickly changing
affection reiterates his immaturity and his being a novice at love.

Romeos immature character evolves to the point where even Romeo

can see the change in himself. He no longer has a desire for his foolish
ways. This is evident when Tybalt challenges him to a duel. Prior to his
marriage with Juliet, he would have leapt at an opportunity to fight a
Capulet. As a character that has matured, he responds to Tyblats
challenge with: Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee
Doth much excuse the appertaining rage To such a greeting. Villain am
I none. Therefore, farewell. I see thou knowst me not (3.34-36).
Romeo is choosing not to fight Tybalt, instead he is making a conscious
effort to forgive him. Romeo even adds to his response stating that
Tybalt doesnt understand him. Despite Romeos newfound maturity,
his rash character, previously established, still remains. Immediately
after hearing of Juliets death, Romeo decides to end his life saying:
Well, Juliet, I will lie with thee tonight. Lets see for means. O mischief,
thou art swift To enter in the thoughts of desperate men! (5.36-38).
His desperation magnifies his rash thinking, allowing him to make this
reckless decision without considering the effect.
Throughout the play, Romeos immature character is shaped into one
that is mature, but rash. Shakespeare introduces Romeo as a complex
character in order to progress the story of the play. Without a complex
character it is difficult to have progression in the plot. As a result of
tracking Romeo through the play, his development as a character
becomes obvious. As the play progresses from beginning to end,
Romeo becomes increasingly mature. Romeos complexity as a
character helps to establish the plays main theme of fate vs. free will.
Romeos complex character reflect his decisions and actions.
Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee
Doth much excuse the appertaining rage
To such a greeting. Villain am I none.
Therefore, farewell. I see thou knowst me not.