1. Bipolar Disorder: A Study in Romeo Montague

2. What is bipolar disorder?
According to the Mayo Clinic:
According the the Mayo Clinic, bipolar disorder causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression).”

3. Bipolar Disorder: Depressive Episode
Through another character’s dialogue, Shakespeare characterizes Romeo: “Many a morning hath he there been seen / With tears augmenting the fresh morning’s dew, / Adding to clouds more clouds with his deep sighs” (I.ii).
At the beginning of the play, Romeo displays “easy tearfulness and frequent sadness” (Warning Signs)- a symptom of a man in the depressed state of his bi-polar disorder.

4. Romeo says, “By holy marriage: when and where and how
We met, we woo'd and made exchange of vow,
I'll tell thee as we pass; but this I pray,
That thou consent to marry us to-day” (II. iii).
Within twelve hours of meeting Juliet, Romeo participates in “uncharacteristic impulsive behavior” (Warning Signs) by suggesting they should be married right away.
Manic Episode

5. More Examples of Romeo’s Mania
Romeo continues “engaging in risky behavior” (Could it be Bipolar?).
Both of these manic actions are contributors to Romeo’s suicide.
Kills Tybalt
Doesn’t Wait
Shakespeare writes, “Tybalt is gone, and Romeo banished;
Romeo that kill'd him, he is banished” (III.ii)
When Romeo is informed of Juliet’s death, he immediately returns to Verona instead of waiting patiently for the letter.

6. Romeo’s suicide reflects his return to a depressive state.
Romeo says, “Here, here will I remain
With worms that are thy chambermaids. O, here
Will I set up my everlasting rest
And shake the yoke of inauspicious stars
From this world-wearied flesh.”
(V. iii)
According to Web MD- a clear mark of bipolar disorder are “thoughts of death or suicide.”
Romeo’s suicide reflects his return to a depressive state.

7. Triggers Killing Tybalt Meeting Juliet Rosaline’s Rejection
This rash act marks the beginning of his downfall back into depression.
Rosaline’s Rejection
Romeo’s lust for Juliet triggers his manic state.
This triggers his first depressive state.

8. In conclusion, Romeo’s tragedy stems from an undiagnosed mental illness that hurts his ability to problem solve.

10. Works Cited