What this post aims to do is flesh out the “hot tempers”
that are often attributed—uni-dimensionally—to these characters. While Hetalia
is based on stereotypes, the characters’ personalities are still considerably
developed and round. It’s the fan depictions that tend to make them flatter
than what they actually are.

England:

England is probably the easiest character to misinterpret,
especially for those who don’t like him—not to mention that he’s hands
down the most hated and contested among fans.

I’m not here to debate the fact that England can be
incredibly rude. However, it’s important to contextualize and
understand the reasons for this if anyone is to truly appreciate let alone
depict him.

England’s temper comes from a place of extreme sensitivity
and vulnerability.

Ex: His temper became particularly volatile in the aftermath
of the American Revolution. We also learn that he experienced 100 years of
heartbreak. While the connection hasn’t explicitly been made in canon, I think
it’s safe to assume that the latter fact is in reference to the heartbreak that
he experienced in the wake of America’s separation from him.

Source: Hetarchive, 2007 Christmas Event + Hetarchive, Notes & Etc.

Ex: Other character notes state that he’s poor at expressing
himself (i.e., he lashes out and rubs others the wrong way). He’s even aware of
the fact that he’s misunderstood but copes with self-deprecating humour.

Source: Hetarchive, Notes & Etc.

Point is, England’s personality is two-sided: he insults and
condescends, only to reel in this scrutiny in and deprecate himself.

Source: Hetascanlations, World Stars Chapter 25.

Germany:

Germany is notorious for being characterized as someone with
a short temper. While this isn’t in whole inaccurate, as he does have a short
fuse, it ignores the fact that most of his anger stems from confusion and
perplexion at forming meaningful relationships with others. Longer post on that
here [x].

Source: Volume 3, the United States of Hetalia.

What I particularly want to emphasize is the problem in
which other characters mistakenly perceive Germany to be angry (a German stereotype). In
other words, he comes off and seems angry.

Source: World Stars Chapter 1. 

Ex: Germany asks Italy out for drinks after a training
session, only to be interpreted by Italy as being angry.

Source: Hetarchive, Comic Diary 4. 

Iceland:

The most forgotten element about Iceland’s personality is
that it’s predicated on a hot and cold spectrum. It’s a clever reference to his
geography, i.e., hot volcanoes/ springs vs freezing weather.

Source: Hetascanlations, Chapter 106 + 114.

Characterizations lean more towards depicting his hot side
and how ‘annoyed’ he gets when the other Nordics—especially Norway—coddle him.

In reality, it’s revealed that Iceland doesn’t mind this
badgering. In fact, he appreciates it.

Source: Hetarchive, Halloween Event 2014.

Another example would be how flustered he becomes when he
finds out that the other Nordics had gotten together to host a surprise
birthday party for him.

Source: Hetarchive, Volume 6. 

Romano:

Romano’s personality is very much along the same lines of
England’s. His hostility is a self-protective mechanism employed in order to hide his sensitivity.

Ex: He’s described as a crybaby and coward.

Source: Volume 2. 

Ex: When he confronts Germany during WW2, putting on a macho
act, he’s quick to retreat when France appears.

Source: Volume 1. 

Ex: When they lived together, Romano became fed-up with the
maid work America tasked him with. The comic gag revolves around Romano
attempting to intimidate America with a gangster persona, only to cower and
surrender when America perceives him to be a “bad guy” in need of being brought
to justice.

Source: Hetascanlations, World Stars Chapter 59.