Romeo and Juliet, 3.1

Life turns difficult for the young lovers in Act 3. Newly married and still without the opportunity to consummate his marriage, Romeo kills Tybalt in a brawl. He blames fate: “O, I am fortune’s fool!” (3.1.142). As you discussed in class today, Romeo believes the fateful stars toy with him; he is their plaything. That his fortune is tied to two deaths in this scene foreshadows his untimely end. But, so does Romeo’s refusal to accept responsibility for his actions. You and Mercutio refused to let him off the hook, however.

Twice Mercutio curses the Capulets and the Montagues with his dying breaths: “A plague o’ both houses!” (3.1.94, 111). As a member of neither warring household, Mercutio finds himself collateral damage to feud. He even blames Romeo for causing his death by stepping between him and Tybalt. Romeo, however, passes the blame onto Juliet: “O sweet Juliet,/They beauty hat made me effeminate/And in my temper softened valor’s steel” (3.1.118-20). He implies that his connection to Juliet has unmanned him. His attraction to her beauty distracted him from his manly honor and he forgot how he is supposed to act when challenged by his enemy. The steel of his valor (as if we’ve seen any evidence of Romeo’s valor to this point) weakens when exposed to the heat of Juliet’s beauty.

During discussion today, you were right to hold Romeo accountable for Tybalt’s death. Though you allowed room for the passion of Romeo’s anger, you also noted that Romeo decides to pursue Tybalt. He apostrophizes fury (remember the furies from The Odyssey) as he consciously vows revenge: “And fire-eyed fury be my conduct now” (3.1.129). In compensation for his former effeminacy, Romeo asks that fury now guide his actions.