BH
Romeo Montague is the only child of the Montague family. By sneaking into a party he meets the supposed love of his life Juliet. From here on out symptoms of depression manifests and climaxes with his suicide because he believed his new wife was dead.
Romeo
Suicidal Ideation
Depression
Romeo's sadness is evident even from the beginning of the play when he talks about Rosaline. However, the introduction of Juliet only exacerbates his symptoms of depression.
“This love that thou hast shown doth add more grief to too much of mine own.” (I.I. 191-192)
-Here Romeo laments to his good friend and cousin Benvolio about the love he feels for a woman named Rosaline who chose abstinence for life.
-Romeo also, when told he is banished from Verona for killing Tybalt he goes into a depressive state saying he would rather just die than live away from his new wife.
“Ha , banishment? Be merciful, say “Death”; For exile hath more terror in his look, much more than death. Do not say “banishment”.” (III.iii.12-14)
“There is no world without Verona walls, but purgatory, torture, hell itself. Hence banishèd is banished from the world, and world’s exile is death. Then “banishèd” is death mistermed. Calling death “banishèd,” thou cut’st my head off with a golden axe and smilest upon the stroke that murders me.” (III.iii.17-23)
A major component of depression is thoughts of suicide or suicidal ideation. Clearly at the end of the play Romeo's mental illness climaxes when he commits suicide by poison at the thought his wife Juliet had died.
“Well, Juliet, I will lie with thee tonight. Let’s see for means. O mischief, thou art swift to enter in the thoughts of desperate men.” (V.i. 34-36)
-At this point in the play Balthazar, Romeo's servant has told his master Juliet is dead. Romeo impulsively acts and plans to find an apothecary for poison.
-Unfortunately, Romeo actually fulfills his many talks, and plans of committing suicide in the final moments of the play.
“Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die.” (V.iii. 120)