romeo and juliet

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In The Tragedy Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare, Romeo demonstrates impetuous qualities that lead to his eventual suicide. Romeo is infatuated with Rosaline and becomes deeply depressed with her decision to become a nun. Romeo vacillates emotionally from Rosaline to Juliet, the daughter of a feuding family. Romeo’s impulsiveness is best exhibited through his unrequited love for Rosaline which leaves him predisposed to easily fall in love with Juliet. Hours after their introduction they fall in love, therefore reflecting the capriciousness of love and the intoxicating nature it has that causes him to make rash and illogical decisions. Within days they hastily get engaged and married at the young age of thirteen and sixteen which makes them reckless and inexperienced lovers. Upon discovering Juliet’s death, Romeo’s ardor and lack of sense of self prevents him from putting his life in perspective as he considers suicide to be his only option.
Within the first scene of the play, Romeo’s impulsiveness is evident due to the fact that he is distraught and deeply depressed over Rosaline’s choice to leave him. Romeo displays emotional immaturity by believing that he could never love anyone besides Rosaline. “She is too fair, too wise, wisely too fair,/ To merit bliss by making me despair./ She hath forsworn to love, and in that vow/ Do I live dead that live to tell it now” (Shakespeare I.i.212-215). Romeo’s unhappy obsession with Rosaline is driven by lust, which he falsely claims to be love. Romeo is grief-stricken over Rosaline’s decision to be celibate. By believing that he was unable to function and live without her shows his lack of experience in his romantic endeavors. The validity of their love is dubious because of his ab...

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...to comprehend a life without his beloved wife which is fatal.
Love compels Romeo to take part in risky and dangerous endeavors that without preparation lead to his eventual downfall.

Works Cited

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