Examples Of Imprudence In Romeo And Juliet

Imprudence in Romeo and Juliet

Spontaneity is a healthy trait for all to experience– to do something impulsively and not think every detail through to a T. However, imprudence is ignorant carelessness and blatant disregard of instincts or advice. This trait leads to detrimental consequences. In Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, imprudence is shown to be the cause of Romeo and Juliet’s deaths. For example, Romeo ignores his gut instinct telling him he would die if he went to the party and goes regardless, he also doesn't wait for the Friar’s updating letter and rides to Verona, despite knowing the letters were coming and would hold the answers he seeked. Friar Laurence marries Romeo and Juliet, the two heirs of rival houses, without

For example, as Romeo and his friends approach the Capulet party, he ponders the stars and says, “I fear too early, for my mind misgives / Some consequence yet hanging in the stars / Shall bitterly begin his fearful date / With this night’s revels, and expire the term / Of a despisèd life closed in my breast / By some vile forfeit of untimely death” (1.4. 113-118). Romeo claims that the stars say attending this party will result in his “untimely death” and yet he goes anyway. Romeo going to the party despite his possible death shows his disregard for his instincts which often leads to dire consequences he must face. As a result of Romeo’s heedless action, he meets Juliet which begins the spiral of their tragedy. Unfortunately, Romeo's carelessness continues, and he exhibits more neglect for his own and others' advice. While Romeo is exiled in Mantua, his servant brings news of Juliet’s “death”, and Romeo responds by saying, “Hast thou no letters to me from the Friar?…No matter. Get thee gone…” (5.1. 33-35). Rather than staying for the Friar’s letters he was awaiting, Romeo snaps, “No matter” and rides to Verona anyway, ignoring his own knowledge of the letters’ arrival from Friar Laurence. His blatant negligence of the information he knows is coming demonstrates his impudence and ignorance towards his own advice to stay and wait. It is due to Romeo’s

When Romeo arrives at Friar Laurence’s house in the early morning, he begs Friar to marry him to a girl he met the night before. After revealing the girl was Juliet Capulet, Friar ecstatically agrees, saying, “Come, come with me, and we will make short work, / For, by your leaves, you shall not stay alone / Till Holy Church incorporate two in one” (2.6. 35-37) in hopes their marriage would end the enmity between the two families. When Friar says he will make “short work” of the marriage, it is clear that he is acting impulsively and not thinking of the repercussions that could occur. His hasty behavior through urgency to marry the enemy houses demonstrates his imprudence, and causes more controversy by allowing them to marry behind their parents back. Because of Romeo and Juliet’s secret marriage, when Juliet is forced to marry Paris, they are obligated to continue keeping the marriage a secret. Juliet vehemently refused to marry Paris, but had no justification to deny him. As a result, Juliet runs to Friar Laurence and begs for a solution. Friar gives her a potion and plan to escape her marriage with Paris: “Take thou this vial, being then in bed, / And this distilling liquor drink thou off; / When presently through all thy veins shall run / A cold and drowsy humor; for no pulse / Shall keep his native progress, but surcease. / No warmth, no breath shall testify thou livest” (4.1.