Impulsive Actions The definition of impulse is a sudden strong and unreflective urge or desire to act. The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, written by William Shakespeare, expresses what it means to act on impulse. This play tells about two young adults, Romeo and Juliet, who belong to two feuding families in Verona, the Capulets and Montagues. They fall in love at first sight and decide to get married the next day, acting on impulses. Their marriage is performed by a man named Friar Lawrence in the hopes that it will end the feud between the families. However, all their lives take a turn for the worse when Romeo becomes banished from Verona by Prince Escalus. The Friar devises a plan so Romeo and Juliet will be able to be together. The …show more content…
He is often quick to act or make assumptions about groups of people such as the Capulets. Romeo’s first sign of impulsiveness is when he falls in love with Juliet at first sight. He disregards his former love Rosaline and just looks in awe at his new love. Before he speaks one word to Juliet , he proclaims, “I ne’er saw true beauty till this night” (1.2.51). That night, he sits under Juliet’s balcony and hears her asking herself, “O be some other man!” (2.1.42). Romeo can not bear listening to this anymore and proclaims, “Henceforth I will never be Romeo.” (2.1.51). This scene proves how Romeo acts impulsively. The next day, Romeo and Juliet get married by Friar Lawrence. Soon after they are married, Romeo is walking the streets of Verona and sees Mercutio, Benvolio, and Tybalt arguing. Romeo tries to break up the scuffle, but this ends up getting Mercutio killed under his arm. Because of Mercutio’s death, Romeo picks up his sword and kills Tybalt. Romeo is banished from Verona to a nearby city called Mantua. While in Mantua, he hears word that Juliet has died, but unknowing to Romeo, she has just taken a sleeping potion that will disable all of her bodily functions. Romeo decides that he wants to say one final goodbye to Juliet before he kills himself with the poison he bought from an apothecary. After Romeo drinks the poison he cries, “Here’s to my love!” (5.4.119). By this action, Romeo shows that he …show more content…
Although Friar Lawrence is a member of a religious order, he too is also to blame for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. The Friar can be described as quick to think or secretive. For example, he agrees to marry Romeo and Juliet without even informing the parents about the marriage. Friar Lawrence says to Romeo before the marriage, “So smile the heavens upon this holy act, that after-hours with sorrow chide us not!” This shows that Friar Lawrence, the adult in the situation, knew of the consequences they would have to face if they were caught (2.4.1-2). He even has the secretive idea to hide the marriage from both families. He knows that the families were not fond of each other, but still thinks it is right for him to marry them without notifying the parents. If Friar Lawrence had decided to inform the parents that Romeo and Juliet were going to be married, he would not be in this mess. Near the end of the play, Friar Lawrence realizes the mistake he made by marrying Romeo and Juliet. He admits to his actions saying, “Miscarried by my fault, let my old life be sacrific’d some hour before this time, unto the rigor of severest law” (5.3.267-269). Friar Lawrence took the blame for his impulsive actions because he knows it was mainly his fault for marrying Romeo and Juliet, and he does not want to feel guilty anymore. Although Friar does not die, he is going to be jailed for his
Romeo- Love causes Romeo to act impulsively and put himself in dangerous situations. For example, in act two scene two, Romeo sneaks into the Capulet grounds due to his love for Juliet. He loves her so much that he was willing to risk being caught by Juliet’s kinsman. If he was caught, a fight could have broken out, which would put Romeo’s life in danger. Also, he would lose his life due to the prince’s penalty. However, due to his intrusion of the Capulet party in act one scene five, it is Tybalt’s rage that jeopardizes Romeo’s well-being. This shows the intensity of Romeo’s love for Juliet, and how he cares more about seeing her than his own safety. For example, in act five scene three, Romeo kills himself because he believes that Juliet
Despite his initial disapproval, Friar Lawrence agrees to secretly marry Romeo and Juliet in hopes that “this alliance may so happy prove/ to turn [their] households’ rancor to pure love” (II.iii.98-99). Although Friar Lawrence has good intentions, as he does not gain anything from the marriage, by supporting Romeo and Juliet’s infatuation, his actions will eventually create more harm than benefits, as it allows their impulsive behavior to persist. By marrying Romeo and Juliet in secret, it is evident that Friar Lawrence knows that the wedding is a bad idea, but due to his indecisive personality and the inability to make a solid choice, Friar Lawrence blindly follows through with the marriage. In addition, he does not analyze the consequences of his actions prior to his agreement to marry them, only to later express regret and warn Romeo about the dangers of their infatuated love and their impulsive behavior. Friar Lawrence’s indecisive personality is evident in his soliloquy through the excessive use oxymorons in between rhyming
Friar Lawrence should be blamed for the Tradegy of Romeo and Juliet because he acted to quickly. The Friar arranges for Romeo and Juliet to be married in secret, without thinking of the consequences of his actions. For instance, Friar hurriedly says ““…come, come with me, and we will make short work.””(2:4:101) Not only does Friar Lawrence marry Romeo and Juliet but he rushes their marriage. Although earlier he wisely states “wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast.” (2:3:101) Friar tells Romeo that slower is wiser, yet he rushes their wedding. Furthermore, the Friar is hiding Romeo after he has ki...
One of the most popular theories about irrational behavior is that people’s actual interests will differ from what they believe is really their interest. In other words, what you think you want is not really what you want, it is not what your real interests are. The story of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare is about two people from two rival families who fall deeply in love. The two lovers believe that they have been in love since the moment that that they landed eyes on each other. However, this did cause some terrible things to happen, only because they loved each other. Shakespeare's purpose in writing this play was to show that you should not be irrational just because you believe that you want something new.
Friar Lawrence is a fallacious mentor. This is seen when he agrees to secretly marry Romeo and Juliet. “Come, come with me, and we will make short work./For, by your leaves, you shall not stay alone/Till holy church incorporate two in one.”(2.2.35-37) This was an ill-conceived decision because the families are unaware of this so it will not actually break the tension between the two rival families. This creates dishonesty and unfaithfulness to their families which evidently ends tragically. When Friar Lawrence married Romeo and Juliet he inferred that the feud between the families would end; however, this was not the case because they kept it a secret. “This shall determine that.” (3.1.28) Romeo challenges Tybalt to a fight to the death even though Tybalt is Juliet’s cousin and they are married. This proves that Friar’s plan was faulty and unsuccessful because there is still great conflict between the two rival families. Friar’s unhelpful mentoring is shown when he agrees to secretly marry Romeo and Juliet and when he wrongly infers that the feud between the families would
Friar Lawrence is responsible for Romeo and Juliet’s stronger affections for each other because he married them and therefore binding their love. Friar Lawrence also came up with a risky solution to get Romeo and Juliet together for the rest of their lives without anyone knowing. However, it consisted of faking Juliet’s death and Romeo did not know she was not actually dead, but alive. Friar Lawrence’s messenger did not tell Romeo the plan in time because Romeo had already heard of Juliet’s death and had gone to her tomb to die with her. Friar Lawrence is responsible for the star-crossed lovers’ death because of his miscalculated
In contrast to common characteristics of a cleric, conformist and conservative, Friar Lawrence advocates freedom over following rules in society and always try to solve issues using the most risky methods. This is illustrated when he plans out Juliet’s death, “then as the manner of manner of our country is, in thy best robes, uncover’d on the bier, thou shalt be borne to that same ancient vault where all the Capulet lie.” (IV.ii.109-113). He indirectly plays an influence to the tragic ending even though his primal motive intends to unite the lovers and offer citizens a peaceful town. As opposed to playing their ordinary roles in society, Friar Lawrence devises plans and encourages Romeo and Juliet to pursue forbidden love under a risky circumstance in order to turn his notions into reality. Friar Lawrence’s dialogue informs Juliet of the plan illustrates his part in causing the tragedy, “Thou hast the strength of will to slay thyself, then it is likely thou wilt under a thing like death to chide away this shame,” (IV.i.72-74). From secretly marrying the them to sending Romeo to take Juliet’s virginity, he is informed about Romeo’s approaching banishment and the notorious reputation which will follow Juliet permanently. However,he continues to cover the mistake by creating the facade of Juliet’s death. This is illustrated in “All this is I know, and to the marriage he nurse is privy,” (V.iii.265-266). Friar Lawrence challenges conformism to pursue liberty, serves to liberate the forbidden love of two youngsters from opposing families but only earns a tragic fruition for his
This is a catalyst in triggering tragic events, consisting of the deaths of many other characters, including themselves. Friar Lawrence plays a crucial role in the action, character development, and themes of Romeo and Juliet. Friar Lawrence plays an integral part in the action and plot of Romeo and Juliet by secretly marrying them, and giving Juliet the idea to fake her own death. Romeo and Juliet meet in the Friar’s cell for their marriage and the Friar says, “Come, come with me. For, by your leaves you shall not stay alone, Till the Holy Church incorporates two in one.
Firstly, the concept of overreacting and being blinded by anger. This concept is shown through the character of Romeo who is at often times an irrational and impulsive thinker. When one of his
William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet demonstrate the ignorance and susceptibility of men to making impulsive decisions without considering the consequences.
As the leading characters, Romeo and Juliet both portray the flaw that ultimately leads to the resolution: impulsiveness. Portrayed as emotional throughout the play, Romeo’s hamartia came to play in his vengeful state: “And fire-eyed fury be my conduct now...Either thou or I, or both, must go with him.” (3.1.117-122). Shakespeare’s characterization of Romeo as
Friar Lawrence wants to marry Romeo and Juliet in hopes their love for one another will end the feud between the Montagues and the Capulets. He schemes and has the characters believe it is out of his love for Romeo and Juliet; as in their eyes, he is a fatherly figure. He is an older man who should be out to help the citizenry of Verona, but being egotistical, he uses Romeo and Juliet for his personal desires to end the feud between the families. Him being egocentric has the Friar make rash decisions in situations that he had not planned for. When the Capulets and the Montagues come together after the death of their children, Friar Lawrence says, “Her nurse is privy; and if aught in this/ Miscarried by my fault, let my old life/ Be sacrificed some hour before his time/ Unto the rigor of severest law.” (V.iii.266-269). The Friar explains Romeo and Juliet’s love story and the reasoning behind their secret marriage and why he went through with marrying the star-crossed lovers. He does not say that his rashness is to be blamed for their children’s death, but turns to the Nurse’s knowledge of the secret marriage. Friar Lawrence is showcasing his rashness by outing the Nurse’s role in the marriage and not taking blame for the deaths, but has the Prince decide his punishment. He wants to blame another character with the knowledge of the marriage to make it seem as though he is not to be blamed. His
When Romeo goes to Friar Lawrence, Romeo’s mentor, he is not sure he should marry these two adolescents. He finally agrees because he thinks it will end the feuding between the two families. But, when he is actually going through with it, he begins to have second thoughts. Friar cries out, “So smile the heavens upon this holy act/ That after hours with sorrow chide us not!” ( 2. 6. 1-2) If he is truly worried that he will be punished for this later, he should have stopped right there. Instead, he married them. This overreaction leads to lying and death in scenes to
Romeo fights and kills Tybalt just because Tybalt slays Mercutio, despite knowing the consequence of fighting -death- he still takes it upon himself as a way to seek repentance for Mercutio’s death. He is able to restrain himself before the death of Mercutio but after his death Romeo falls to his impulsiveness and fights Tybalt. After killing Tybalt and getting banishment instead of a death sentence, Romeo refuses to look on the bright side and goes to Friar Lawrence where he says “Ha, banishment! Be merciful, say ‘death’.” (Act 3, Scene 3 line 12), this shows that he deems life without Juliet life not worth living. He then continues weep then decides to take his own life, the Friar stopped him but had Romeo stopped being so quick to make decisions he would have realised banishment is much better than death and would be rejoicing instead of weeping. Romeo hears about Juliet's “death” from his servant Balthasar he instantly decides to kill himself, he doesn't mourn his loss or even cry, he simply buys poison, rides to Verona and kills himself. Had he spoken to anyone and taken any advice he would realize that suicide is not the answer but he had his mind made in a minute, he wanted to be dead with his wife. Romeo impulsiveness to make decisions is a very important characteristic for him to have and for the rest of the
Ultimately, Romeo and Juliet become embodiments of impulsiveness. Through their rash words and actions in the tragedy “Romeo and Juliet”, Shakespeare sets forth that both are too hasty in their decisions, leading them into unfortunate events. As the plot unfolds, Romeo and Juliet’s futile love is torn apart by their family’s hate and animosity towards each other. Despite their constant struggle to let their love survive, it is doomed from the beginning of the tragedy. It is plain that lack of foresight and wisdom leads to disaster all around.