Romeo and Juliet Archetypes

Romeo — Tragic Hero

The tragic hero is the protagonist who experiences a large downfall due to personal flaws and external forces. “Alive, in triumph! and Mercutio slain! Away to heaven, respective lenity, And fire-eyed fury be my conduct now! [Re-enter TYBALT] Now, Tybalt, take the villain back again, That late thou gavest me; for Mercutio’s soul Is but a little way above our heads, Staying for thine to keep him company: Either thou, or I, or both, must go with him.” (Act 3.1)

Juliet — Damel in Distress

A damsel refers to a young woman, and a damsel in distress is almost always a woman who is physically attractive; this is of course what sparks the interest of her savior. A Damsel is always helpless and in need of rescuing. “Shall I speak ill of him that is my husband? Ah, poor my lord, what tongue shall smooth thy name, When I, thy three-hours wife, have mangled it? But, wherefore, villain, didst thou kill my cousin? That villain cousin would have kill’d my husband: Back, foolish tears, back to your native spring; Your tributary drops belong to woe, Which you, mistaking, offer up to joy.” (Act 3.2)

Nurse — Earth Mother

The Earth Mother is a symbol of fertility; she offers spiritual and emotional support to others and usually wears earthen colors. “Romeo is banish’d; and all the world to nothing, 2330 That he dares ne’er come back to challenge you; Or, if he do, it needs must be by stealth. Then, since the case so stands as now it doth, I think it best you married with the county. O, he’s a lovely gentleman! 2335 Romeo’s a dishclout to him: an eagle, madam, Hath not so green, so quick, so fair an eye As Paris hath. Beshrew my very heart, I think you are happy in this second match, For it excels your first: or if it did not, 2340 Your first is dead; or ’twere as good he were, As living here and you no use of him.” (Act 3.5)

Mercutio — Trickster/Clown

The trickster/clown is incarnated as a clever, mischievous man or creature, who tries to survive the dangers and challenges of the world using trickery and deceit as a defense. “Good king of cats, nothing but one of your nine lives; that I mean to make bold withal, and as you shall use me hereafter, drybeat the rest of the eight. Will you pluck your sword out of his pitcher by the ears? make haste, lest mine be about your ears ere it be out.” (Act 3.1)

Friar Lawrence — The Mentor

The mentor is usually old, and this person often has some kind of magical abilities or a much greater breadth of knowledge than others possess. “O deadly sin! O rude unthankfulness! 1895 Thy fault our law calls death; but the kind prince, Taking thy part, hath rush’d aside the law, And turn’d that black word death to banishment: This is dear mercy, and thou seest it not.” (Act 3.3)

Tybalt — The Villain

The villain wants to stop the hero archetype from achieving his or her goal. The villain is often evil, though there is often a reason—however warped that reason may be—why villains are so bad. “Thou, wretched boy, that didst consort him here, Shalt with him hence.” (Act 3.1)

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Letter of Recommendation for Romeo

To Whom it May Concern,

I am writing to recommend Romeo Montague as an undergraduate student at Northwestern in the Creative Writing Program. I have been Romeo’s mentor since he was a young boy. He has been attending my mosque, Badshahi, for prayer and for service learning since he was a child. I consider Romeo to be the son that I never had.

Romeo has a strong work ethic, though he can get lost in his thoughts at times. He is one of the best young writers in Karachi. He is passionate about language and will often share his poetic thoughts and writings.

Romeo will be an asset to the Creative Writing Program at Northwestern. He is hard-working, open-minded, and often seeks out feedback, always looking to improve.

Please contact me with any further questions you may have.

Sincerely,

Friar Lawrence

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Romeo’s College Application Essay

Northwestern Prompt: In 300 words or less, help us understand what aspects of Northwestern appeal most to you, and how you’ll make use of specific resources and opportunities here.

Language moves me. I am often inspired to write or converse, using all of the poetic devices of the fine English language. But the more I know, the more I realize I do not know, and the more I want to know.

I wish to attend Northwestern’s Creative Writing program because it is one of the first and finest in the country. Its reputation speaks for itself when looking at its list of accomplished graduates. Veronica Roth, author of the bestselling Divergent series, and Karen Russell, author of Swamplandia!, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, and winner of a MacArthur Genius Award, are just a couple of names on that list.

I also appreciate the fact that Northwestern’s award-winning authors teach poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and courses that cross genres. I want to work in the close-knit community that the program has to offer, which guides students to examine literary works as writers and encouraging them to study the best literary models.

At Northwestern I would get to complete an honors project and learn from prominent visiting writers at the annual Festival of Writing in the Spring.

I plan to pursue a poetry concentration. I have written a great deal of poetry, mainly sonnets, but I know that I have much to learn. Being at Northwestern will give me the opportunities and experiences that will help me thrive as a poet in a true writing community.

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Fan Fiction – Mercutio’s Story 

This short story is an example of Fan Fiction. Act 1 Scene 4 of Romeo and Juliet is not usually told from one character’s perspective. This version is told from Mercutio’s perspective in which he interacts with Tybalt. This reimagining is set in Mumbai, India.

When I saw him that night at the party, I was immediately drawn in. He looked so strong and sure of himself. I wanted to approach him, but he was clearly distracted.  

“Mercutio, who are you looking at?” Benvolio asked. “A kurri? Which one?” 

“Nah, just zoning out,” I said, looking away. “I’m not always thinking about girls. Any good food?” 

“It’s a wedding, brother,” He said, making a face. “Obviously. Keema samosas are awesome, I ate like 10 of them. And pakora, I think I finished those. One of the Aunties was giving me the death stare.” He balked at my furious expression. “I didn’t draw attention! Have you seen a Capulet eat?” 

“Where’s Romeo,” I asked, turning back to the party. The guests milled around in the spacious marble mezzanine, decorated with wreaths of marigolds and scented deeply with spices and incense. Women wore elegant sarees with gilded trimmings and the men strode proudly in Sherwanis of deep reds, purples and golds. Despite Ben’s best efforts, the tables bordering the foyer were groaning under the weight of jasmine rice, fluffy naan, curries and trays upon trays of fried morsels. 

“He was kind of tripping out last I saw him.” Ben slipped a khussa off one foot and scrunched his toes. “I think this Rosalind thing is really getting to him. Argh, these shoes are too small…can’t feel my toes.”  

“He’ll be fine” I said. “He always does this. He falls in love so easily and pines and pines until he finds someone new. A hundred rupees says he finds ‘true love’ at this party.” 

“Nah. I’m not taking that bet,” Ben laughed. “I’ll lose. Oh, there he is!” 

From across the room we could see Romeo had his eyes on a new target. Or at least I could see it. Ben was munching on the food he had piled on his paper plate, a puri naan hanging precariously over the edge.  

“They use paper plates here?” I scoffed. “This is this type of place that would either use fancy China, or those biodegradable plates that you can eat afterward.” 

“What? That’s a real thing?” Ben said with a mouthful of halwa. “Man, blood feud or not, I think our families can certainly agree on the versatility and convenience of the humble paper plate. Man, good halwa.” 

I looked back at Romeo, who had made his way over to his target. It was Juliet Capulet. This dude was trying to get himself killed. I saw something, a look pass between them. 

But it was not my problem. I was there for my own reasons.  

“I’m going to get more food” Ben said, turning and walking away. His paper plate hung limply in his hand.  

Tybalt, wearing a deep, passionate red, was talking animatedly to Mr. Capulet. Clearly a disagreement. I smiled inwardly. Maybe I could allay his anger a bit.  

When Capulet walked away, I moved in.  

“Everything okay?” I asked.  

“No,” Tybalt muttered. “There are Montagues here. At a Capulet wedding! Idiots!”  

“Totally. What idiots.” I smirked playfully.  

Tybalt shot me a look, not sure if I was being mocking. “Aren’t you friends with them?” he demanded.  

“Yeah, we go way back,” I responded cooly. “But their fights are not my fights. I’m smarter than that.”  

“Well, you were actually invited, so I have no qualms with you.” His anger seemed to be slowly fading.  

“Hey man, it’s cool,” I said, putting my hand on his shoulder. “It’s a party.”  

“I know. They just make me so mad. And showing up here. Such disrespect.” 

“I feel you. But you can’t fight here. Or anywhere, really. I’ve never heard the police chief make threats like that.” 

Tybalt’s face darkened for a moment, fearful. “Yeah…” he suddenly shook himself “So stupid! We didn’t even start it. They were having a go at us.” 

“You want to get some food? Maybe talk a bit?” 

“I’m not hungry.” 

“They’ve got keema samosas.” 

He smiled.  

My heart melted.  

As we walked to the buffet table I nudged him playfully. 

“Qualms? Qualms. Really, Tybalt?” 

“Shut up, Mercutio.” 

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