Isolation In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

“Opportunity seldom rises with blood pressure” -Jarod Kintz (Dreher, H). Social pressures can affect and shape a person's identity. In William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, the inevitable ending is brought on by Juliet's emotional isolation from her family, Friar Lawrence’s god complex, and Romeo's feelings of self entitlement and arrogance. The existence of high society affects the development of the characters, making them isolated, show god complexes, and become entitled and arrogant, ultimately leading to the foreshadowed ending.

Juliet's emotional isolation from her parents allows her to make the decisions that ultimately lead to her death. Lady Capulet's lack of understanding for her daughter's emotional state first becomes evident

when she asks; “Speak briefly. Can you like of Paris, love?” (1.3.99). The simplicity of Lady Capulet's question highlights her absence of connection to her daughter. She assumes Juliet should be overjoyed at the idea of marriage, essentially suggesting that Juliet should be content, simply because others in her position are happy. The absence of a family bond leads to Juliet's secrecy from her family, compelling her to tell Romeo; “If thy bent of love be honourable/ Thy purpose marriage, send me word tomorrow” (2.2.43-44). Juliet does not feel compelled to confide in her parents, and thus reaches a decision frowned upon by her family without guilt or fear of retribution. Coupled with her love for Romeo, the isolation causes Juliet to demand the Friar’s council towards her marriage to Paris, saying, “[...] unless thou tell me how I may prevent it”(4.1.52). “[...] Give me some present counsel…” (4.1.61). By this time, Juliet's isolation creates the feeling of abandonment, and convinces her Romeo is the only one who truly cares. Such feelings cause her actions to be desperate and rash. The consequences of Juliet's emotional instability caused by her parents lead her to make hasty choices, and ultimately create the context around her death.
The plot is furthered by the actions of Friar Lawrence.

His respected place in society creates within him a god complex. Friar Lawrence chooses to ignore the negative social consequences of his actions, and marries Romeo and Juliet in secrecy, saying, “So smile the heavens upon this holy act” (2.6.1). Contrary to his statement, the Friar's secrecy only hinders the lives of those around him, notably the lives of both Romeo and Juliet, increasing their hardships. Friar Lawrence creates an illusion of himself as a fair man, although his actions show him to think of himself before everyone else. The Friar’s god complex is additionally seen through his willingness to have Juliet disappear, as he tells her, “Hold, get you gone, be strong and prosperous” (4.1.122). The Friar is primarily concerned with himself. The most effective solution to keep his reputation is to have Juliet leave quietly. His selfishness prevents him from seeing the the haste and thoughtlessness of his plan. Therefore, when faced with the aftermath of the situation he helped create, he exclaims, “Or in my cell there she would kill herself./ Then I gave her [...]/ A sleeping potion, which took effect” (5.3.242-44). Even after playing a key role in multiple deaths, Friar Lawrence tries to downplay the severity of his actions, attempting to maintain the illusion that his actions were simply an attempt to preserve Juliet’s life. He attempts to remove his responsibility in the deaths and pretend he was forced

to interfere in their lives. He believes himself above the law, and that he was simply doing what the lovers requested of him. The importance of Friar Lawrence's position in Verona caused him to fearlessly interfere with the lives of others.
The plot is also advanced by Romeo's upbringing as a high class Montague, making him entitled and arrogant.

Romeo continues to pursue Juliet, after learning who she is, “Now Romeo is beloved, and loves again,/ Alike bewitchèd by the charm of looks” (1.5.148-49). Although he knows that Juliet is an enemy, he is enchanted by her beauty. Having been raised in high society, he does not consider the possible consequences to his actions. He simply decides that he wants Juliet, so he must have her. Additionally, Romeo talks in riddles, causing confusion and miscommunication in tense situations. He tells Tybalt, “[...] the reason I have to love thee/ Doth much excuse appertaining rage/ to such a greeting [...]” (3.1.55-57). Romeo's words hint that there is something the other person is not aware of, intensifying the situation rather than diffusing it by speaking candidly. These feelings are supported by his arrogance, and the feeling of superiority. Ultimately Romeo's sense of entitlement causes him to thwart his own plans, which becomes evident when learning of his banishment andy he says, “Ha, banishment? Be merciful, say ‘death’:” (3.3.12). Romeo feels that he has been unjustly ruled against, without hearing the validity of the Friar's points. His feelings of entitlement lead to an obsession with Juliet, and drastically alters his interactions with the other characters and his mental state which effectively ignores a possible solution. Romeo's childhood instills a sense of

arrogance and entitlement, which are key to his role in the play.
Through the ways of Verona’s high society, the characters develop and create the context of the inevitable ending. The social aspects of Verona isolate Juliette emotionally from her family, create a god complex in Friar Lawrence, and instill arrogance and entitlement in Romeo. Social pressures can have a great effect on people, and shape their actions. The play demonstrates the effect that others have on us, and prove that upbringing is important in shaping personality.