How Did Romeo And Juliet Make Impulsive Decisions

History has portrayed time and time again how people have rushed into decisions and suffered the consequences of it. Examples can be seen through burdened presidents, generals in battle, and other overwhelmed rulers. This phenomenon can also be seen in Romeo and Juliet, where Shakespeare portrays the theme of hasty decisions leading to disastrous consequences. Romeo is a notable example of someone who makes impulsive decisions. In the heat of the moment, many people act out instinctively, which leads to great trouble. As presented in Romeo and Juliet, Romeo kills Tybalt, Juliet's cousin, in praise of his best friend Mercutio who was killed prior by Tybalt. Romeo’s rage is evidently expressed when he says, “Away to heaven, respective lenity,

The decision to kill Tybalt leads Romeo to his banishment from Verona. The banishment not only devastates Romeo, but immensely upsets Juliet. “Like Juliet, Romeo becomes distraught and suicidal at the thought of being separated from his love, and he refuses to hide himself when someone knocks at the door.” (Bloom 11). This rushed decision separated the two loves, ultimately leading to their demise. The quick marriage of Romeo and Juliet is a significant moment in the story. However, with their marriage came a lot of misfortunes, which eventually led to catastrophic consequences. The concern of Romeo and Juliet's rapid love was expressed by Friar Lawrence. Friar explains, “These violent delights have violent ends / And in their triumph die, like fire and powder, / Which, as they kiss, consume. The sweetest honey / Is loathsome in its own deliciousness / And in the taste, confounds the appetite. Therefore love is moderately. Long love doth be so. Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow.” (Shakespeare 2.6.9-15). Friar emphasizes that when love with such deep passion is rushed, it is destined to end in

Romeo sets out to buy poison so he can consume it and eternally rest with Juliet. Romeo says, “Come hither, man. I see that thou art poor. Hold, there are forty ducats. Let me have / A dram of poison, such soon-speeding gear / As will disperse itself through all the veins / That the life-weary taker may fall dead / And that the trunk may be discharged of breath / As violently as hasty powder fired / Doth hurry from the fatal cannon’s womb.” (Shakespeare 5.1.61-68). Romeo conveys his deep feelings of grief and says he's ready to take his own life. If only Romeo took a more steady approach to the situation, he could have talked to Friar and figured out his plan. The impetuous and reckless decision led to the death of both Romeo and Juliet, even though it could've been avoided. Bloom writes, “However, Seward maintains Shakespeare is making a statement regarding the inherent danger of playing with passion and the consequences of what the lovers might do as a result of these intense emotions.” (Bloom 130). Succinctly, Romeo’s purchase of the poison conclusively led to a havoc of events, showing how hot-heated decisions always end in