Romeo And Juliet Bad Decisions Essay

In Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare, numerous types of love are presented. These kinds of adoration motivated the characters to make bad decisions, for they acted out of instinct rather than handling the situation properly. First off, Paris believed he had a healthy relationship with Juliet, but did not realize it was nothing more than unrequited love. Secondly, Romeo and Juliet’s true love lead to a tragedy when it became clear that they could not live without one-another. Lastly, Capulet’s family love caused him to make rash decisions and have controlling behaviour towards Juliet. Many characters in Romeo and Juliet are motivated and influenced by the different types of love they have for each other.

Paris and Juliet were effected

by unrequited love; Juliet did not love Paris, but Paris loved Juliet. Paris’ love motivated him to gain Lady Capulet and Capulet’s approval for marriage without Juliet’s prior knowledge. Paris said, “These times of woe afford no times to woo. Madam, good night. Commend me to your daughter” (3.4.8). Paris used his words wisely and was very persuasive when convincing the Capulets that marriage was the best thing for their daughter. Paris was blinded by his love and was unable to recognize that Juliet did not share the same feelings for him. Juliet said, “He shall not make me there a joyful bride!” (3.5.121). Juliet was stuck in a difficult situation and knew she would not live a happy life if she married Paris. Juliet truly did not love Paris and had an argument with Capulet and Lady Capulet when admitting she did not want to marry him, ruining her relationship with her parents and the nurse. Juliet proclaimed, “Is there no pity sitting in the clouds that sees into the bottom of my grief? O sweet my mother, cast me not away, delay this marriage for a month, a week, or if you do not, make the bridal bed in that dim monument where Tybalt lies” (3.5.206). Juliet would have rather died than marry Paris. She did not want to be with him because she was already in love with Romeo. This unrequited love did nothing but harm to the relationships among the Capulet family.
Romeo and Juliet were effected by true love.

Their relationship began with love at first sight. “If I profane with my unworthiest hand this holy shrine, the gentle sin is this: my lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand to smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss” (1.5.95). Romeo and Juliet kissed after knowing each other for only minutes, showing that their love was strong right from the start. Romeo and Juliet’s love was so unbreakable that it motivated them to do whatever it took to be together. “Bid her devise some means to come to shrift this afternoon, and there she shall at Friar Laurence’ cell be shrived and married” (2.4.167). They were willing to ignore their family’s feud without their approval and get married. Romeo and Juliet were so in love that they were even willing to die for each other. “Here’s to my love! O true apothecary! Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kill I die” (5.3.119). They knew that they could not live without one-another, so they were both brought to the grave. The true love that Romeo and Juliet had for each other made the Montague and Capulet families realize that their feud must end. “A glooming peace this morning with it brings. The sun for sorrow will not show his head. Go hence, to have more talk of these sad things. Some shall be pardoned, and some punished” (5.3.312). Due to the loss of their children, the Montague and Capulet families made peace. The love that their children shared made them realize that the feud

must come to an end for they had been fighting for too long. Even though Romeo and Juliet’s true love led to great consequences, a positive relationship between two families was formed.

Capulet and Juliet were effected by family love as a result of Capulet being Juliet’s father.

Capulet was used to Juliet being a responsible and obedient child. When Juliet disobeyed him by refusing to marry Paris, he was motivated by his love for her to force her to marry Paris. “I tell thee what – get thee to church a Thursday or never after look me in the face. Speak not, reply not, do not answer me!” (3.5.166). Capulet was very straight forward and did not care to hear Juliet’s opinion because he thought that he was right and only valued his own opinion. He would never want to see her again if she chose to disobey him because he loved her and wanted her to have a good future. He thought that the only way for her to have a good future was if she was obedient to all of his demands, and marrying Paris was one of those demands. Capulet and Juliet’s relationship was harmed after this dispute due to the anger Juliet had towards Capulet and the loss of respect for him and his non-understanding behaviours which were influenced by his love. When Juliet kindly asked for him to listen to what she had to say, he replied “Hang thee, young baggage, disobedient wretch!” (5.3.165). Capulet’s words were very harsh and Juliet did not appreciate the aggressive, non-understanding behaviour. Although Juliet did not agree with Capulets actions and opinions, she was motivated by their family love to make things right with her father and tell him what he wanted to hear. Before the

night of her death, Juliet said to Capulet, “Where I have learnt me to repent the sin of disobedient opposition to you and your behests, and am enjoined by holy Laurence to fall prostrate here to beg your pardon. Pardon, I beseech you. Henceforward I am ever ruled by you” (4.2.17). Juliet lied to Capulet because she still loved and cared about him for he was her father. She wanted to die knowing that she was in good terms with her family. Overall, Capulet and Juliet’s family love effected their actions in both positive and negative ways.
These different types of love effect the characters from Romeo and Juliet, causing them to make impulsive decisions.