The Role Of Emotion In Romeo And Juliet By William Shakespeare

Pablo Picasso, a Spanish painter once said, “Colors, like features, follow the changes of emotions” . This demonstrates that in life people experience a variety of different emotions that shape who they are. In the play, the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet written by William Shakespeare these emotions shape the characters and actions they take throughout the play. Expressions of devotion, infatuation, as well as wrath play a special role in the formation of these key events. A wide variety of sociocultural and psychological lenses further expand on this topic. Emotions have negative effects on the people of Verona due to its division of these people: devotions division is by class structure and code of honor; wrath results in one’s lack of thoughts

Sampson and Gregory demonstrate their undying devotion to their house by going as far as to express that loyalty and as a consequence a fight between the two houses breaks out. For example, upon the two Montague servants pass by the two Capulet servants Sampson declares, “Nay, as they dare. I will bite my thumb at/them, which is disgrace to them if they bear it”(I.i.43-44). This illustrates the social classes' impact on the houses and a great divide betwixt the two groups, which is proven by their willingness to brawl with one another in such a manner of petty insults. Furthermore this disturbance of the peace results in a negative impact to not just the mens squabble but the citizens. These strong emotions of devotion have led to multiple outbursts and have terrorized Verona on multiple occasions. Clearly, this strong level of devotion, brought out further by social pressures, led to thoughtless actions with grave consequences. Not to mention how this illuminates the clear separation of these social classes and thus further solidifies the idea that Romeo and Juliets relationship would not make sense knowing of this feud. Consequently. The devotion Sampson and

Tybalt and his devotion to defend his honor leads to his desperate attempts to duel Romeo. However instead he ends up dueling with Mercutio and kills him. As a result,Romeo mourns the death of his friend. Full of wrath Romeo upon Tybalt’s return implies :“fury be my conduct now./Now, Tybalt, take the “villain” back again”(III.i.129-130). This conveys the wave of passionate wrath that takes over Romeo as he is met with the same person who just murdered his best friend. Going from a peacekeeper to an instigator in a matter of minutes. More importantly, these emotions seem to trigger Romeo's flight or fight response and bring out the structure of obedience vs defiance in him. While it has been set out that he should not engage in this fighting, he breaks that and instead goes with his own self expression. Through Romeo's enragement, breaks the code of honor because he does not care about his honor and and out of rage murders Tybalt. Surely, the murder of Juliet's cousin will not only upset the prince but upset Juliet, his wife. This puts a massive wedge between the two. To further support this, Wrath is also prevalent during the Capulets argument with Juliet where lord Capulet loses himself completely, threatening all sorts of things due to his wrath. After the death of Tybalt, the Capulets are stricken with grief and sorrow. In order to try and revive some