Romeo And Juliet Youth And Age Essay

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In Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, youth and age are two contrasting concepts that play a significant role in the plot. The play revolves around the idea of young love, hampered by the older generation's feud. The themes of youth and age can be seen throughout the play and profoundly affect the characters' behavior and their relationships with each other. In this essay, I will explore how youth and age shape Romeo and Juliet's relationship and how they impact the actions of other characters in the play. Body Paragraph 1: One of the most prominent roles of youth in Romeo and Juliet is its ability to inspire passion and intensity in relationships. Romeo is initially infatuated with Rosaline before falling madly in love with Juliet at first sight. His youthful enthusiasm allows him to pursue his feelings for Juliet relentlessly despite all obstacles, including her family's hatred towards his own. "O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night As a rich jewel in an …show more content…

Friar Laurence recognizes this when counseling Romeo about his infatuation with Rosaline before meeting Juliet. Youthful characters like Romeo lack life experience, which makes them susceptible to making poor decisions based purely on what they see instead of what they know. Older adults like Lord Capulet understand how important it is for children to obey their parents: "And you be mine, I will give you to my friend, And you be not hanged beg pardon of your father" (Act III Scene v). In contrast to the youthful impulsiveness of Romeo and Juliet, age brings a sense of responsibility and experience that can be crucial in decision-making. This theme of youth versus age is prominent throughout Shakespeare's tragedy, as it shapes the actions and motivations of many