Consequences Of Emotions In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

The ability of a character in literature to predict consequences is halted by the character’s powerful emotions. Characters become blindsided and all of their actions become overruled by their emotions. Compelled by the strong force of love, Romeo sneaks into the garden of his enemy’s daughter house, risking death simply to catch a glimpse of her. In act 2, scene 2 Romeo states that, “...let them find [him] here.\[His] life were better ended by their hate,\than death prorogued, wanting of thy love.”(76-78). Massive consequences that will precede not just for Romeo, but for everyone in Verona, are completely overlooked by Romeo; both the Montagues and the Capulets will be at loss as a fight is inevitable. Romeo’s love for Juliet convinces him

to overlook the fact that Juliet is a Capulet and that there would be chaos if they were to be married; Romeo is blindsided. Failing to predict consequences, summons additional consequences that alter Romeo’s entire life. Love changes Romeo by making him forget about his family and his loved ones. Emotions are the root cause behind the uprising of an obstacle; always. From the death of his friend, Mercutio, to the death of his mother, all of Romeo’s obstacles are constructed by his impactful emotions. Powerful emotions entirely halt the ability of a character in literature to predict consequences, which creates even more consequences, negatively altering a character’s life.
Powerful emotions override a character's mental position and render the state as over emotional.

Characters are deprived of their ability to handle situations tactfully as their emotions overtake their actions. At first, Romeo’s love for Juliet prevents him from fighting Tybalt as Romeo states in act 3, scene 1, that “...the reason that [he] [has] to love [Tybalt]\[d]oth much excuse the appertaining rage…”(62-63). Becoming over emotional, Romeo places his love for Juliet over his concern for Mercutio leading to the death of Mercutio. Afterwards, Romeo states in act 3, scene 1 that, “...fire-eyed fury be [his] conduct now!”(125). Following the death of Mercutio, Romeo compounds the problem by placing his own feelings of anger and revenge, over his concerns for Juliet by killing Tybalt. The powerful emotions that control Romeo define him as an over emotional character; consequently, commanding emotions such as love and revenge cannot be properly handled by Romeo. The obstacles created by a character’s compelling emotions are made harsher as a character becomes over emotional. Romeo’s emotions not only create the obstacle, but also provide the fuel for it; this growing obstacle will be extremely life changing; Romeo’s obstacle of residing with Juliet, a Capulet, is made harsher as Romeo gets banished. What was the cause of his banishment? Emotions. Powerful emotions. Over emotionally, Romeo kills Tybalt even though Tybalt was going to be punished for his sin anyways. The mental position of a character in literature is amended to over emotional by the character’s powerful emotions, which fuel existing consequences, harming the host

character.
Critical problem-solving abilities held by a character in literature are ceased by the character’s powerful emotions. Character’s do not register the many possibilities that are present to solve a problem and therefore, the problem outstrips them. Romeo encounters Juliet’s “dead” body but fails to see the clues that evidently reveal Juliet is yet alive. Romeo states in act 5, scene 3 that, “beauty’s ensign yet\is crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks,\and death’s pale flag is not advanced there.”(94-96). Even though Romeo’s description of Juliet fits those of a living person, Romeo is unable to“connect the dots” and critically reason. Love leads Romeo to disregard these facts and commit suicide, which also leads to Juliet’s suicide. A character is eventually terminated by any obstacle as mighty emotions stall all critical problem-solving abilities. Similar to Romeo’s suicide, the murder of Tybalt by Romeo originated from the lack of problem-solving abilities. Powerful emotions prevent a character from critically solving problems, which leads to the problem destroying the host character.