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Read the excerpt from Act III, Scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet.

In what ways does this excerpt show Romeo to be a maturing character? In what ways has he remained unchanged? In the space provided, write a minimum 150-word response discussing two respects in which Romeo has changed and two ways in which he has stayed the same. Describe each trait, and be sure to include specific lines of text as support for your analysis.

User Rpr
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Answer:

Step-by-step explanation:

In Act III, Scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet, Romeo is confronted by Tybalt and Mercutio, resulting in Mercutio's death and Romeo's killing of Tybalt. This scene shows both how Romeo has changed and how he has remained unchanged. Firstly, Romeo has become more mature in his handling of conflicts. Despite Tybalt's insults, Romeo initially tries to remain calm and avoid fighting, saying "I do protest I never injured thee, / But love thee better than thou canst devise" (III.1.70-71). This shows a level of restraint and a willingness to avoid violence that Romeo lacked earlier in the play. Additionally, after he kills Tybalt, Romeo recognizes the seriousness of his actions and remarks, "O, I am fortune's fool!" (III.1.136). This suggests that he is beginning to understand the consequences of his impulsive actions.

However, Romeo has also remained unchanged in some ways. He is still deeply driven by his emotions, especially his love for Juliet. When Tybalt insults him, Romeo is quick to defend the honor of his new family, saying "And so, good Capulet, which name I tender / As dearly as my own, be satisfied" (III.1.78-79). This shows how much Romeo has come to value his relationship with Juliet, and how much he is willing to risk to protect her honor. Additionally, even though he recognizes the severity of his actions, Romeo is still driven by his passions, as he later declares, "There is no world without Verona walls, / But purgatory, torture, hell itself" (III.3.17-18). This shows that, despite the maturation of his decision-making, Romeo is still very much ruled by his emotions.

User Radim
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