Going Your Way

Life is like a test. The answer that you choose by instinct is usually the correct one. However, once you start to allow other thoughts to influence you, you second guess yourself and change the answer; thus, getting it wrong. The play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare is a beloved play that justifies such a case. Within this masterpiece, two lovers encounter forbidden love and some miscommunications that lead to ultimate death. The story further goes on to demonstrate that the lack of free will eventually results in physical turmoil with the events of (1)Mercutio’s death, (2)Lord Capulet’s outburst, and (3)Friar’s unsuccessful plan. Romeo and Juliet fall in love and get married rapidly. However, this marriage is concealed from their families for they already know that they would receive immense disapproval. Yet, the secrecy doesn’t make it any less joyful for Romeo who faces Tybalt shortly after the ceremony. Romeo, who is still in an exuberant mood, talks of nonsense. He tells Tybalt that he loves him without adequately explaining that the reason is because they are now related. “Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee/ Doth much excuse the appertaining rage” (3.1.63-64). Tybalt takes this earnest statement and takes it as a joke. He then threatens Romeo. In order to protect his friend, Mercutio steps up to fight and ends up being killed. If only there is no obligation for the Montagues and Capulets to hate each other, Tybalt wouldn’t be mad at Romeo’s appearance at the party in the first place. Thus, Mercutio would face death. Or even better, Tybalt would be aware of the marriage and wouldn’t threaten Romeo, eliminating the tragedy of Mercutio as well. Teenagers have a tendency to find loopholes around the rules set by society. However, while attempting to act upon that loophole, many unfortunate events occur. Parents have the role of acting as guides who help their children choose the right paths in life; not to control their life for them.