Teenage Tragedy: The Fatal Decisions in Romeo and Juliet

Teenagers are capable of accomplishing anything an adult can achieve as well. However, due to the undeveloped parts, where logical thinking is involved, in their brains, they may not always make the right decisions and understand those consequences. In the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, both protagonists, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet are teenagers who are in deeply in love with each other. However, as a result of the rivalry between Romeo’s family and Juliet’s family, Romeo and Juliet face multiple problems to be with each other. The teenagers do not always make the best choices during their struggles, and end up following their emotions rather than logic. These decisions identify them as tragic heroes, or characters

For instance, the audience learns that one should not be impulsive, rushing will lead to one’s destruction. Friar was only a few moments late to stop Romeo from killing himself, he stated, “Romeo! O, pale! Who else? What, Paris too? And steeped in blood? Ah, what an unkind hour is guilty of this lamentable chance!” (Shakespeare 5.3, 149-151). If Romeo had waited a bit longer before drinking the poison, he could have been saved by Friar and could have finally known that Juliet was actually not dead. However, his impulsiveness lead him to his own death, which allows the audience to realize that one’s impulsiveness will only lead them to making reckless decisions like Romeo. The audience also experiences a relief of all the emotions they have felt throughout the play. The prince emphasized how depressed and hurt everyone is by Romeo and Juliet’s deaths. He rebuked the Montagues and Capulets for their lasting rivalry and grudges when he stated, “see what scourge is laid upon your hate, that heaven finds means to kill your joys with love” (Shakespeare 5.3, 302-303). The words “love, hate, kill, and joys” creates a stimulation of emotions within the audience such as pity and regret, however, when the play is over, the audience is able to escape from all those emotions. Romeo’s downfall drives the audience to grasp a moral and relieve themselves from the