Examples Of Thoughtless Actions 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, having given Juliet a sleeping potion without considering the possibility of failure in informing Romeo of the death-guise upon Juliet. Surely, if Friar Lawrence had considered all options, he may have taken more caution and employed more brothers in the task of informing Romeo. The unthoughtfully considered schemes led to many
more risks, which eventually led to the tragic outcome of the play. A main reason for the outcome of the play is unthoughtful orders, misinterpreted information and omittance of information.
Several characters show this fault. One instance of this is Capulet's order to the servant that, "Through fair Verona, find these persons out / Whose names are written here [Gives a paper], and to / them say / My house and welcome on their pleasure stay. (Act I, Scene II, Line 35-38)". This shows the unthinking actions of Capulet; he does not consider the fact that the servant cannot read. Had Capulet considered this, then he may have sent for a literate servant, and thus Romeo may have never known about the feast, never known Juliet in turn. Friar Lawrence also displays this thoughtlessness. Friar Lawrence may have informed Friar John that "The letter was not nice but full of charge, / Of dear import, and neglecting it / May do much danger (Act V, Scene III, Line 18-20)". The omittance of this information may have caused Friar John to "Going to find a barefoot brother out (Act V, Scene III, Line 5)", instead of placing the letter to Romeo as his prime objective. Balthasar is another character who causes the untimely deaths of the two lovers. He claims that "I saw her laid low in her kindred's vault, / And presently took post it to tell you (Act V, Scene I, Line 20-21)". Had Balthasar been less impulsive, the situation would have been avoided, as Romeo would either have arrived later and found Juliet alive, or Romeo would not have known about the
‘death', and thus never enter the Capulet's monument. Information not thought through and provided to others is certainly are one of the causes of tragedy in the play, Romeo and Juliet. In conclusion, thoughtless actions undoubtedly are the main cause of the tragedy in the play, Romeo and Juliet. The influences of such actions, whether it is through violence, scheming or unthought though information, are negative. However, had it not been for these thoughtless actions, then Romeo and Juliet may not have become a timeless classic, preaching against the very flaws apparent in the play.