Romeo And Juliet's Impulsive Decisions

"…When confronted with stressful or emotional decisions, [teenagers] are more likely to act impulsively, on instinct, without fully understanding or analyzing the consequences of their actions" (Dr. David Fassler). Teenagers, past and present, are known for making spontaneous and sometimes senseless decisions. Romeo from the play “Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare is no different. Romeo is a teenager who makes numerous impulsive decisions that have disastrous consequences.

Firstly, Romeo kissed Juliet, a girl he just met. He first noticed her at Capulet’s party, a place where he was not supposed to be. The only reason he noticed Juliet was because she was beautiful. In Shakespeare’s play, “Romeo and Juliet,” he said, “Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight. / For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night” (1.5.50-51). Shortly after, he talked with her briefly, then kissed her: “Then move not, while my prayer’s effect I take. / Thus from my lips, by thine, my sin is purged” (1.5.104-05). It was only after he kissed her that he realized that she was the daughter of Capulet, the daughter of his enemy, and that he, a Montague, could be killed if their relationship was made public. Despite the feud between their families, Romeo was still in love with Juliet. His love for her will motivate him to make other impulsive decisions

Romeo’s friends did not know this. Convinced that Romeo betrayed him, Mercutio fought Tybalt and died during the battle. Later, Romeo killed Tybalt in a fight to avenge Mercutio’s death. This caused the Prince to banish Romeo from Verona. Romeo never would have had to defend Tybalt, his new cousin-in-law, if he never made the impulsive decision to marry Juliet. This decision and his kindness ended with Mercutio’s death, Tybalt’s death, and his