Impulsiveness In Romeo And Juliet

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Shakespeare’s play, The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, depicts an ancient feud ended by a pair of star-crossed lovers’ deaths. A lord and lady from warring families seek a forbidden love with guidance from a friar and nurse. Due to a tragic course of mischances and fateful errors, their attempt of eloping led the lovers to a tragic end. Because of rash decisions, the four characters are torn apart by miscalculating events and misunderstandings. Ultimately, the four characters encounter a heartbreaking ending, as a result of their hastiness. As the leading characters, Romeo and Juliet both portray the flaw that ultimately leads to the resolution: impulsiveness. Portrayed as emotional throughout the play, Romeo’s hamartia came to play in his vengeful state: “And fire-eyed fury be my conduct now...Either thou or I, or both, must go with him.” (3.1.117-122). Shakespeare’s characterization of Romeo as …show more content…

Unlike the Nurse, Friar Laurence displays wisdom, but contradicts it through rash guidance: “Take thou this vial, being then in bed/And this distilled liquor drink thou off.” (4.1.193-194) Terrorized by a suicidal Juliet, Friar Laurence devised a plan through an illusory ploy of a sleeping potion. His hasteful consolation through a thoughtless scheme contribute to misunderstandings that lead to a tragic end. In similar fashion, the Nurse betrays Juliet’s trust by rashly advocating Lord Capulet’s proposal of marriage: “I think you are happy in this second match/For it excels your first; or if it did not/Your first is dead…” (3.5.223-225) Beforehand, Nurse’s maternal instinct toward Juliet buoys her meddling. However, Lord Capulet’s rage led her retreat submissively, driving Juliet to adhere to the friar's shortsighted plan. Although rich in heart, the parental figures display hasteful judgements that led to the lovers’

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