Romeo and Juliet (William Shakespeare, 1596) is a classical drama about actions and their consequent effects on individuals and society. The encounters with Tybalt, Benvolio, and the angry populace in the excerpts set the mood for the key themes explored in the play. This essay examines the causality of decisions, focusing on how a character's judgments about violence, lies, and pretentiousness lead to chaos, tragedy, and the loss of innocent lives. The first major issue addressed in Romeo and Juliet is the destructive effect of violence and the characters' responses to it. Tybalt's combative demeanour is obvious in his dismissive remarks about Benvolio. He shouts, "What, drawn, and peace talk? I despise the phrase, much as I despise hell, …show more content…
The choice to deceive others often leads to chaos and tragedy. Juliet's decision to feign her death, for instance, sets in motion a chain of events that culminate in calamity. In a moment of desperation, Juliet exclaims, "O, look! Methinks I see my cousin's ghost seeking out Romeo that did spit his body upon a rapier's point. Stay, Tybalt, stay!" (Act 4, Scene 3). Here, Juliet cunningly crafts a plan to deceive her family and escape her predetermined fate. Shakespeare employs the technique of dramatic irony to heighten the tension, as the audience is privy to the knowledge that Juliet is alive while her family believes she is dead. However, this deceitful choice leads to severe misunderstandings and miscommunication, ultimately resulting in the tragic deaths of Romeo and Juliet. Furthermore, Friar Lawrence, in an attempt to prevent further violence, chooses to deceive Romeo about Juliet's death. He declares, "Thy Juliet is alive, for whose dear sake thou wast but lately dead" (Act 5, Scene 3). This revelation showcases the dire consequences of deception as it pushes Romeo toward impulsive actions, ultimately leading to his demise. Shakespeare masterfully highlights the fragility of trust and the devastating outcomes that can stem from choices based on