Examine the Ways in Which Shakespeare Develops the Character of Romeo Through His Use of Language

Romeo’s character is developed greatly throughout the play, ‘Romeo and Juliet’, through Shakespeare’s use of language. Various themes are introduced to the play; love, tragedy and conflict are some examples. Romeo’s character can be identified by his connections with the themes.

At the beginning of the play, Romeo seems quite mature, in the sense that he is in love, and growing up. However, immaturity is beginning to arise, as Romeo shows that he cannot cope with the unrequited love haunting him: ‘Ay me, sad hours seem long’. We can see from this that Romeo has no intention of attempting to forget about Roseline. This proves that he is in fact quite immature. On the other hand, being in love and to such a degree as this, shows a growing sense of maturity about Romeo.

Further into the play, at the Capulets’ party, Romeo enters in disguise, soon to meet Juliet. The fact that he has turned up, uninvited, to this party, shows us that Romeo has quite a rebellious nature. This immaturity is also reflected when Romeo first meets Juliet. After spending every morning and evening, every waking hour thinking about Roseline, it seems rather immature how he can completely forget her and say that he has ‘ne’er seen true beauty till this night’.

The hyperboles used in this scene depict the strength of this love Romeo is feeling for Juliet: ‘She doth teach the torches to burn bright! This very exaggerated statement shows that Romeo is perhaps not very experienced with love, as all he can see are the positive sides of Juliet. Also, here he is assuming he is in love just by what meets the eye. These factors all show us that Romeo is in fact regressing into an immature character, who is quite naпve enough to not know what real love is.

However, as the play progresses further, we begin to see a new side of Romeo, beyond first impressions and closeness of superficial emotions. Romeo visits the Capulets’ Orchard in Act 2 Scene 2. Here, the reader begins to see a much more complex side to Romeo. A glimpse of maturity is portrayed within this scene, as Romeo decides to take action for this love for Juliet. Sacrificing, possibly his life, to see Juliet here, shows real love and determination.

Romeo notices the very small details in Juliet, which does show that he is besotted: ‘Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven, having some business, do entreat her eyes, to twinkle in their spheres till they return’. Much of the description Shakespeare uses refers to Juliet as comparable to the ‘fairest stars’ and ‘Heaven’. This makes Juliet sound like she is very beautiful and special to Romeo.

With so much dialogue in this scene, Romeo is very obviously in love, and cannot fit in all the words that he desires, in this given time with Juliet. This scene at the Orchard certainly does develop Romeo’s character into a more mature and complex character.

Further on in the play, we find that Romeo kills Tybalt. This is very contrasting to how we previously viewed him at the Orchard. From a man full of love, he decides to kill Juliet’s cousin. This therefore leads the reader to believe that in fact Romeo is rather immature, and has not developed into a respectable adult yet: ‘O sweet Juliet, thy beauty hath made me effeminate, and in my temper