Thoughtless Actions Are the Cause of Death in Romeo and Juliet

ROMEO AND JULIET [ESSAY]

Francis Chan

Thoughtless actions are the cause of tragedy in Romeo and Juliet. Do you agree?

In Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet, the tragedy of the two lovers is driven mainly by the thoughtless actions of others. This thoughtlessness is displayed by many of the characters throughout the play; Capulet, Montague and the clergy alike. As well, these flaws in judgements are expressed through a wide variety of themes such as violence and love.

The role of violence is evident within the play. Thoughtless violence is undoubtedly one of the driving factors behind the tragic outcome of the play. The first instance of its impact is demonstrated during the violent riot between the Capulets and Montages during Act I Scene I. The series of insults that are exchanged between Sampson, Gregory and Abram exemplify the thoughtless actions of the two households; Sampson and Gregory, not considering the consequences of beginning a quarrel, try to provoke the Montagues. Both old Capulet and Montague attempt to join the fray, another example of unthinking violence. A second example of thoughtless violence is shown when Tybalt tries to persuade Capulet that Romeo should be ejected from the feast. He expresses his intents by saying; “Now by the stock and honour of my kin, / To strike him dead I hold it not a sin (Act I, Scene IV, Line 57-58)”. Tybalt then unknowingly predicts the outcome of this encounter with Romeo, stating in his soliloquy that; “I will withdraw, but this intrusion shall, / Now seeming sweet, convert to bitt’rest gall. (Act I, Scene V, Line 90-91)” This proves true in the fatal encounter between Mercutio and Tybalt. Benvolio claims prior to the fight that;

“The day is hot, the Capels are abroad, / And if we meet we shall not scape a brawl, / For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring (Act III, Scene I, Line 2-4).”

This shows Benvolio’s thoughts, which imply that he believes that it is during these days that people do not think, and readily resort to violence. Later, after Romeo has avenged Mercutio by slaying Tybalt, admits that; “O, I am fortune’s fool. (Act III, Scene I, Line 132)” This suggests Romeo realises that he has not thought through the consequences of his actions, and thus has committed an atrocity that will further threaten Juliet’s and his future. Unthinking violence is unquestionably one of the main factors which contribute towards the demise of the two “star-crossed lovers”.

An important aspect of the play is the manipulation, where the conceiver does not carefully think through his scheme. A prime example of this would be Friar Lawrence. Friar Lawrence is arguably a central figure within the play. When Friar Lawrence joins Romeo and Juliet in holy matrimony, in the hopes that; “For this alliance may so happy prove / To turn your households’ rancour to pure love. (Act II, Scene III, Line 92-91)”. Friar Lawrence only chides the couple to be careful, instead of enforcing caution, simply stating that; “These violent delights have violent ends, / And in their triumph die like fire and power, / Which as the kiss consume. The sweetest honey / Is loathsome in his own deliciousness, / And in the taste confounds the appetite. / Therefore love moderately, love long doth so; / Too swift arrives as tardy slow. (Act II, Scene VI, Line 9-15)”. Again this occurs when Friar Lawrence advises Romeo to “Ascend to her (Juliet’s) chamber, hence and comfort her; / But look thou stay not till the Watch be set. (Act III, Scene III, Line 147-148)”. Later on in the play, Friar Lawrence’s inattention to detail leads to Romeo death. Friar Lawrence,