Examples Of Tragic Flaws In Romeo And Juliet

Gabe Flowers
Mr. Kuykendall
English 111-F
25 May 2023

In many stories, characters have different flaws that contribute to the ending of their stories. For example, in the story of Achilles, his ankle being his only flaw leads to his tragic demise. But in many other stories, characters have tragic flaws that shape how their story ends, like the story of Romeo and Juliet. In the Story of Romeo and Juliet, there is a pair of two star-crossed lovers who are forbidden to be together. The two families' hatred for each other eventually leads to their demise. In Romeo and Juliet, many characters are flawed, which leads to a tragic ending in the story. Those characters and flaws are Romeo’s impulsiveness, Juliet’s naivety, and finally, Father Lawrence’s improper planning skills. All contribute to the play's tragic ending.

Near the end of the play, in Act 4, Juliet doesn’t want to marry Paris, so she decides to go to Father Lawrence and get a sleeping potion. So that when it's the day of the wedding, it appears that she is dead. But Romeo sent his servant Balthasar out to spy on her; when he saw that she was “dead,” he went to Romeo and told him she was dead Romeo is impulsive. He buys poison so he can die with her. Romeo says, “To Juliet’s grave, for must I use thee” (5.1.88.). Everyone can make rash and impulsive decisions occasionally, but they are usually to a minor extent but not in Romeo’s case, where his impulsiveness leads him to kill himself. Any average person would go and see their significant other if they heard that they were dead, but not Romeo. Romeo, without even seeing for himself, goes and buys poison to end his life so he can rest with his late wife. Romeo’s impulsiveness is ultimately why his actions lead to his tragic