Power Of Emotions In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

The detrimental influence on character in literature by the power of emotions is a crucial theme in “Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare. A common misunderstanding is underestimating the power of emotions. Emotions immensely harm the host character by reducing many crucial abilities. Characters in literature who are a victim to these emotions often become vulnerable and sometimes even destroy themselves. Romeo, is exceptionally negatively influenced by the power of his emotions which eventually lead to his suicide. Impactful emotions are life altering for characters. The power of a character’s emotions overrides the character’s actions by: halting the character’s ability to predict consequences, rendering the character's position as over emotional, and preventing critical problem-solving abilities.

The ability of a character in literature to predict

Character’s do not register the many possibilities that are present to solve a problem and therefore, the problem outstrips them. Romeo encounters Juliet’s “dead” body but fails to see the clues that evidently reveal Juliet is yet alive. In act 5, scene 3, Romeo states that, “beauty’s ensign yet\is crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks,\and death’s pale flag is not advanced there.”(94-96). Even though Romeo’s description of Juliet fits those of a living person, Romeo is unable to“connect the dots” and critically reason. Love leads Romeo to disregard these facts and commit suicide, which also leads to Juliet’s suicide. A character is eventually terminated by any obstacle as mighty emotions stall all critical problem-solving abilities. Similar to Romeo’s suicide, the murder of Tybalt by Romeo originated from the lack of problem-solving abilities. Powerful emotions prevent a character from critically and effectively tackling problems, which leads to the problem destroying the host