Hook: "What makes us do the things we do? Is it our upbringing, our environment, or is there something deeper at work? In Shakespeare's classic play, Romeo and Juliet, the characters make choices that have devastating consequences. But what drives these choices? The answer might be found in the structure of the brain.
Intro to subject: Romeo and Juliet is a tragic love story that has been captivating audiences for centuries. The play follows the story of two young lovers who come from feuding families and make a series of fateful decisions that lead to their untimely deaths.
Thesis: The way Romeo and Juliet think about their choices, conflicts, and consequences can be explained by the functioning of the brain. Specifically, their developing
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Concrete detail: Romeo and Juliet are both teenagers, and their prefrontal cortex is not fully developed.
Commentary: This lack of development can lead to impulsive decision-making, such as Romeo's decision to kill Tybalt after he kills Mercutio.
Commentary: If their prefrontal cortex was more developed, they might have been able to think through the consequences of their actions and make different choices.
Concrete detail: According to research, the prefrontal cortex does not fully mature until the mid-20s.
Commentary: This suggests that the impulsivity and decision-making seen in Romeo and Juliet is typical of teenagers, but not necessarily reflective of adult behavior.
Concluding sentence: The immaturity of Romeo and Juliet's prefrontal cortex plays a significant role in their decision-making and contributes to the tragic outcome of the play.
Body Paragraph 2:
Topic sentence: The amygdala is responsible for emotions such as fear, anger, and love.
Concrete detail: When Romeo and Juliet meet, they both feel an intense attraction to each other.
Commentary: This attraction is caused by the release of hormones such as dopamine and oxytocin, which create feelings of pleasure and