Impulsive Decisions In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

Whether it be disobeying parents or doing something illegal, quick decision making and reckless actions are common in teenagers, yet the outcomes vary from beneficial to destructive. Teenagers are known for doing things they have been explicitly told to avoid, and their potential consequences are the catalysts of impulsive behavior–there is no telling what an adolescent mind will venture into next. Shakespeare’s tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, perfectly portrays a time when the effects of illicit love took the lives of many people. Nonetheless, Romeo and Juliet are not the only ones to experience forbidden love, teenagers all over the world make immature decisions due to powerful emotions. Essentially, Romeo and Juliet’s impulsivity and desire to

Instantly, Romeo and Juliet knew they were meant for each other–as if their hearts and souls were intertwined–thus causing them to make imprudent decisions based on the impulsivity of their relationship. When the two met, Romeo and was still crestfallen about his rejection from Rosaline, so when he learned that Juliet–his current wife–-was on track to marry Paris, he was truly heartbroken, and even considered suicide. Friar Lawrence, trying to give guidance, implied that Romeo was acting childish and should instead focus on keeping sane so he can live for Juliet. Emphasizing Romeo’s foolishness and poor choices, he preaches, “I thought thy disposition better tempered. Hast thou slain Tybalt? Wilt thou slay thyself? And Slay they lady that in thy life lives, by doing damned hate upon thyself?” (Shakespeare III.iii 125-128). Juliet managed to stay calm and create a plan to meet

Adrenaline is released and one may feel the need to do something they know they should not, for the sole purpose of an energy boost. When the typical inclination to morality is hindered by impulsivity, “Teenagers are much more likely than either children or adults to seek out new experiences, rewards and excitements, especially social experiences” (Gopnik). Most people know what the proper things to do are, yet they may choose to do otherwise. Although consequences are irresistible, most teenagers do things for a sense of purpose in one particular moment, “Amy Odum, a Utah State University psychologist who also studies discounting. ‘We are very much creatures of the now and driven by immediate outcomes’” (Hand). As humans–especially teenagers–it is nearly impossible to avoid falling victim to unreasonable decisions. Thus, one may choose to do something risky for a sense of completion or a particular reward–social status, money,