Role Of Control In Romeo And Juliet Essay

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Romeo and Juliet are victims of forces beyond their control. Discuss. In William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, a pair of teenage lovers is introduced, whose love leads to their tragic demise. Whilst Romeo and Juliet are responsible for their own behaviours, Shakespeare demonstrates that other factors beyond their control contribute to their predicament. Being born in opposing families, the toxic feud greatly influences Romeo and Juliet’s relationship. In addition, the concept of fate does not fall lightly on the lovers, however, it is evident that the lovers’ actions help lead to the unfortunate outcome of their relationship. Through the exposure of passionate hate between Romeo and Juliet’s families, Shakespeare unfolds the significant …show more content…

Being young and inexperienced, the lovers both express an impulsive nature. When overwhelmed by emotion, Romeo and Juliet lose the ability to think rationally and believe that suicide is a solution to their problems. Juliet claims that “if all else fail” she has “[the] power to die”, while Romeo’s banishment leads him into thinking he can be sacrificed and “be put to death.” Shakespeare is drawing attention to the implications of young, passionate love with inexperience. Similarly, Romeo and Juliet express too much passion in which it overcomes reason. Romeo is reckless and fearless, feeling as if nothing can “countervail the exchange of join” since he is “proof against [the] enmity.” Once again, Shakespeare emphasises the youth and immaturity through Romeo displaying these traits. When Romeo reveals to Friar Laurence that he loves Juliet, the Friar’s response suggests that young men are superficial as they love “not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes.” Thus, Shakespeare questions the depth and sincerity of Romeo’s love for Juliet due to his fickle nature. Romeo constantly ignores Friar’s advice about his relationship with Juliet. Simultaneously, Friar Laurence suggests Romeo to “love moderately” because his passionate relationship with Juliet will lead to “violent ends.” Friar argues for Romeo to have a more tempered and moderate behaviour as Romeo and Juliet’s passion and impulsivity will result in destruction. Shakespeare uses Friar Laurence to warn Romeo against a rushed and unrestrained passion and juxtaposes to Friar Laurence’s patient and well considered actions with Romeo’s impulsive and irrational actions. Romeo and Juliet’s actions and behaviours aid to their predicament, along with the inevitable factors of fate and

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