Romeo And Juliet Actions Have Consequences Essay

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Actions Have Consequences
“For never was a story of more woe / Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.” (5.3.309-310). Was this catastrophic ending the cause of fate or was it the consequences of their actions? Romeo and Juliet, a play written by William Shakespeare, is where this tragic story occurs. Romeo and Juliet hastily getting married, Capulet forcing Juliet to marry Paris, and Romeo killing Tybalt all lead to a disastrous ending. It is hastiness and stubbornness that causes the demise of Romeo & Juliet; therefore, Shakespeare's play is a warning that impulsive actions lead to negative outcomes.
The first example of an impulsive action is when Romeo and Juliet decide to get married. When Romeo tells Friar Laurence about marrying Juliet, Friar Laurence says, “Wisely and slow; they stumble that run fast.” (2.3.94-95). Friar Laurence saw that they were going too fast and they needed to slow down. Important decisions such as marriage should not be arranged over one day. Romeo and Juliet were not reasonable and they did not consider what their actions may lead to. Later on, when Romeo goes into the tomb of Juliet, he says, “For fear of that, I still will stay with thee, / …show more content…

When Mercutio is declared dead, Romeo states, “Either thou, or I, or both, must go with him.” (3.1.128). Romeo wants to get his anger out and he does not consider the harmful ramifications. When Romeo is declared banished, he complains and says, “There is no world without Verona walls, / But purgatory, torture, hell itself.” (3.3.17-18). If Romeo thought about the consequences of his actions, he would not be in that situation. Shakespeare uses hyperbole to show Romeo’s anguish and distress. Romeo makes major decisions in only a short period of time, which will only lead to negative repercussions. He let his rage and grief dictate his actions. Romeo should have made his decisions with prudence and

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