Examples Of Impulsiveness In Romeo And Juliet

As stated by an unknown individual, "Our impulses are what reveal our character. What we are quick to do, what we are quick to be." William Shakespeare's tragedy Romeo and Juliet follows this theme of impulsiveness that is exhibited by characters in several different ways. In Romeo and Juliet, Romeo's unpredictable personality, the star-crossed lovers' decisions to marry each other, and the self destructive impulses exhibited by both main characters clearly contributed to Romeo's banishment and Juliet's disownment by her father. Primarily, Romeo's arbitrary nature draws close attention to impulsiveness as a key factor in his banishment. As illustrated in the scene when Romeo visits Juliet under her balcony after the Capulet party, Romeo's

After only getting to know each other for just a few hours, Romeo and Juliet make the decision together to get married the next day. As Romeo pleads with Friar Lawrence to perform the marriage ceremony, he says, "But this I pray, / That thou consent to marry us to-day" (2.3.67-68). This simple line by Romeo illustrates the impulsiveness of the two teen's decisions and how that leads to further conflict because he begs the Friar that the marriage must be done as soon as possible. Instead of being reasonable, Romeo and Juliet insist to get married after supposedly meeting their true loves just one day prior to this. The immaturity of this decision is what ultimately leads to the demise of the two characters. Secondly, Romeo and Juliet's decision to look over the fact that their families are sworn enemies leads to a string of further problems. As Romeo speaks to Juliet from her balcony, Juliet says, “My ears have yet not drunk a hundred words/Of thy tongue’s uttering, yet I know the sound./Art thou not Romeo, and a Montague?” (2.2.64-65). After hearing this, Romeo responds, “Neither, fair maid, if either thee dislike” (2.2.66). This illustrates the couple's willingness to be oblivious to the fact that their families have been feuding for longer than anyone could remember. They are still risking being caught together when they

Primarily, as Romeo gets ready to marry Juliet, he says that he would be happy to die after having Juliet as his wife. Romeo states, “Amen, amen. But come what sorrow can,/It cannot countervail the exchange of joy/That one short minute gives me in her sight./Do thou but close our hands with holy words,/Then love-devouring death do what he dare,/It is enough I may but call her mine” (2.6.3-8). By having this thought process and saying these words, Romeo already sets himself up to believing that he needs Juliet in his life and would do anything to be with her. This self destructive behavior is the same behavior that caused him to kill Tybalt with little hesitance. He believes so early on in the relationship that Juliet will complete his life, bound to set him up for disappointment later on. Similarly, Juliet shows the same behavior as she speaks to Nurse about Romeo's banishment and Tybalt's death. Juliet says, “Wash they his wounds with tears?/Mine shall be spent,/When theirs are dry, for Romeo’s banishment./Take up those cords” (3.2.141-144). Juliet's continuous loyalty to Romeo even after he killed her cousin is ultimately a self destructive and impulsive behavior that leads her to be disowned by her father. If Juliet had not been so unnecessarily loyal to Romeo, she would have been more