Essay On Motivation In Romeo And Juliet

589 Words3 Pages

The poet, William Shakespeare, presents the nature of motivations and the direction it leads an individual’s course of action. In many instances, motivation has been proven to be a driving factor in several individual’s interactions with their environment. There are various fields of study connecting to the influence of motivation on a character. In the play Romeo and Juliet, there are several instances in which a character acts because their motivations had changed due to their emotional state. Motivation is fluid and can be influenced by feelings relating to attraction, resentment and grief.

Attraction is able to sway one’s motives and thoughts, consequently influencing their actions. In the first scene of Romeo and Juliet, Romeo is introduced as a depressed and love-stricken young man, whose feelings are not reciprocated by the one he loves. In act one, Romeo is influenced by his feelings of love and because Rosaline had sworn to chastity, Romeo loses his motivation and causes him to fall into a nihilistic mindset. Romeo’s attraction to Rosaline caused him to believe life was meaningless because he could not be with Rosaline. Further supporting the idea that attraction can influence motivation; in act one, scene five. Romeo encounters Juliet at a party hosted by the Capulets. The two fall in love with each other and Romeo is motivated to do anything to be …show more content…

As well as, how hatred is born of love. Resentment is presented in the text of Romeo and Juliet during the first act of the third scene. Romeo, now a husband of Juliet, encounters Mercutio and Tybalt in a duel. Romeo attempts to separate them, getting Mercutio killed. Romeo’s thirst for revenge overshadows his determination to love the Capulets and Romeo kills Tybalt. Romeo’s brief moment of hatred for Tybalt was created because of his companionship with Mercutio. The death of Mercutio is a testament to resentment’s ability to alter people's