Shakespeare's tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, centres around two adolescent star-crossed lovers, whose instant love for one another seems to be doomed from the beginning. Both from rivalling families, the Montagues and Capulets, in the town of Verona. The story concludes with Romeo and Juliet inevitably taking their own lives only days after meeting. Shakespeare carefully intertwines every character into having a partial role to play in the fateful deaths of Romeo and Juliet. Romeo’s extremely impulsive and rash behaviour is the fundamental factor which leads to his and Juliet’s demise. He acts impatient and foolish in nearly every dramatic situation. This panicking is the underlying reason that I believe he is to blame for his and Juliet’s death. …show more content…
After the initial revelation that Juliet is of the rivalling Capulet family, Romeo is overcome with fear and angst. This is evident when Romeo says “Is she a Capulet? O dear account! My life is my foe’s debt.” (I, v, 118-119) Despite Romeo’s initial hesitations, that same night he sneaks back to see Juliet on her balcony where he declares, “I have night’s cloak to hide me from their eyes, and but thou love me, let them find me here. My life were better ended by their hate than death prorogued, wanting of thy love.” (II, ii, 75-78) This headlong statement perfectly depicts the way in which Romeo hastily intensifies their relationship without reason, signifying the beginning of the end. If Romeo had only decided not to be with Juliet and marry her the next day because of the incredibly high risk involved, neither of them would have died. They rushed into love, forbidden by their feuding families, disobeying their parents and hastily getting married. Romeo’s sudden love for Juliet spurred from a long time longing and lust for the once beautiful, Rosaline, previously declaring he would die for