Growing Up in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

Growing Up in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

The characters Romeo and Juliet in the play of the same name by

William Shakespeare are rather immature as the play commences. Due to

the love that develops between them, the feud between their two

families and their actions, they mature and reach a stage upon which

they have become independent individuals, taking their own decisions.

The extraordinary about their maturation is the short time period in

which it takes place, from the beginning to the end of the play only

three days pass.

Romeo appears rather immature at the beginning of the play as he

looses himself in the self-indulgent and hopeless love towards

Rosaline. At the beginning of the play Romeo is displayed as a

self-pitying person. He much rather looses himself in sorrow than

forgetting what has happened and going out to search for another girl

who will return his love. He goes to Capulet’s feast only to see

Rosaline. Juliet at the same time is also not very mature. She is very

much dependant on the Nurse and Lady Capulet, who still try to comfort

her in the best possible way. However she does not agree to marry

Paris not following the path her parents laid out for her. Before the

first encounter of Romeo and Juliet they both are rather immature in

different ways.

At Capulet’s feasts Romeo and Juliet see each other for the first time

and immediately fall in love. This love helps Juliet in becoming more

independent as she takes the first important decision for herself by

deciding to marry Romeo. He is no longer lost in self-pity and sorrow

but is much more outgoing and happy, which is an important change in

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...egree of maturity. However they would have displayed an even

higher level of braveness and maturity with the decision not to kill

themselves.

Both Romeo and Juliet are rather young and immature characters to the

beginning of the play. Romeo has lost himself in a love that is

hopeless, while Juliet is completely dependant on her parents. Through

the love that they experience amongst each other they grow and reach a

certain level of maturity. Juliet becomes more and more independent

and takes her own decisions, isolating herself from her parents and at

last the Nurse as well. Meanwhile Romeo is no longer lost and becomes

more considered. The love has developed them so far that they are

willing to give their lives for it. “These violent delights have

violent ends“(Act 2, Scene 6) and thus they die after only three days.