Romeo And Juliet Literary Analysis

Romeo and Juliet Literary Analysis
Teenagers are known for having a difficult time controlling their emotions and making rational decisions. Nowadays, teenagers can be unruly and difficult, thinking only about the present. In the tragedy Romeo and Juliet, written by William Shakespeare, Shakespeare captures this idea by having many of his younger characters go from decision to decision without even pausing to think for a day. The tragedy Romeo and Juliet shows that acting on impulse can lead to unexpected tragedies.
The first that example Shakespeare uses to represent this theme is verbal irony. Throughout Romeo and Juliet, Romeo constantly rushes from decision to decision, not once thinking about the consequences. Near the end of the tragedy,

he learns that Juliet has passed away, and cries, “Is it ev’en so? Then I defy you, stars” (5.1.24). Romeo believes that he is defying fate by killing himself and being with Juliet. This is a perfect example of verbal irony because Romeo is rashly going into a decision, thinking he will defy fate despite that being exactly what fate wants, and not thinking about the consequences will be.
Shakespeare also uses foreshadowing as the second example for the theme. “I fear, too early; for my mind misgives… by some vile forfeit of my untimely death” (1.4.106-110). Romeo has a dream that he will die an untimely death should he go to this party. He tries to tell Mercutio, who dismisses the dream, and sure enough Romeo meets Juliet at the party, setting the course for his- and others’- untimely deaths. This theme shows that Romeo’s future rash decisions would end in the tragic deaths of Romeo and his friends.
Shakespeare also uses a metaphor to show this theme, “Do thou but call me resolution wise and with this knife I will help it presently” (4.1.53-54). Juliet, desperate with her true love for Romeo, is going to kill herself if the Friar doesn’t solve all of her problems for her. Juliet is about to do something rash and uncalled for, but her love for Romeo is blinding her reason and judgement, making this a perfect example for this theme.
In the tragedy Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare, it is shown that rash decisions can lead the downfall of many. Teenagers don’t think about their decisions, a statement that is as true now in our time as it was in Shakespeare’s. Despite the fact that this rule will never change, society can at least boost awareness of bad decisions and prevent further tragic mistakes.