The Struggle Between Romeo And Juliet
William Shakespeare's story follows the tragic tale of its eponymous characters and the impact their desperate, passionate love has on their families and acquaintances. Romeo and Juliet hail from their respective households, the Montagues and the Capulets, in Verona where the play is set. The odds are evidently against them due to the infamous, unrelenting feud between their households. It is a constant source of commotion in Verona, unable to end without official intervention by Prince Escalus. Heavily burdened by the bitter line of separation, they are forced to overcome a series of obstacles in order to be with one another. These obstacles range from Juliet’s arranged marriage to Romeo’s banishment from Verona. The story culminates in the
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young couple’s deaths among multiple others, along with the consequent reconciliation of the Montagues and the Capulets as they mourn for their children.
The story proves that while love can be an incentive for positive change, it can also be a dangerous catalyst capable of repercussions as severe as death. The characters of Romeo, Juliet, and Tybalt particularly set off this catalyst through irrational actions stemming from their impulsive temperaments. Romeo’s passion and sensitivity complement his love for Juliet well; however, they also frequently cloud his judgment. At the beginning of the story, he is enamored with Rosaline to the point of depression upon learning that the love is unrequited. In spite of his poor state, he is quick to move on as soon as he meets Juliet. They exchange heartfelt endearments later that night, deciding to get married before parting. After only a day since sulking over “love’s transgressions” (1.1.179), Romeo now finds himself asking Friar Lawrence to officiate his marriage. The friar is accustomed to Romeo's idealistic love, and he expresses concern when he hears that Romeo is not in love with Rosaline anymore but with Juliet: “Young men’s love then lies / Not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes” (2.3.66-68). Friar Lawrence, the voice of reason in the scenario, points out Romeo’s previous attraction
to Rosaline’s beauty reflecting in his newfound attraction to Juliet, suggesting that Romeo's love is only superficial. This would make sense considering he has not gotten to spend the adequate time necessary to fall in love with anything else about Juliet that transcends her appearance. Friar Lawrence ultimately agrees to marry them in the hopes of uniting the Montagues and the Capulets, albeit not without delivering a foreboding line: “These violent delights have violent ends” (2.6.9). Shortly after the marriage, Romeo's passion once again gets the best of him during a confrontation with Juliet's cousin Tybalt. Faced with the death of his close friend Mercutio at the hands of Tybalt, he immediately resorts to revenge by murder. After carrying out the deed, Benvolio warns him to leave before the incoming crowd of citizens and officers learn of his actions and he is arrested. Romeo woefully admits that he is "fortune's fool" (3.1.132) and departs. His impatience towards waiting for official intervention by Prince Escalus has left him not only in regret, but also in trouble. For the first time in the story, he acknowledges the consequences of his actions which he's needlessly flung upon himself. Even so, he continues to make reckless decisions that would lead to his tragic end. Tybalt is one among the many proud Capulets whose rage for the Montagues consistently overcomes his reason. At a party hosted by Capulet, he spots Romeo and immediately assumes the worst, accusing him of being a "villain that is hither come in spite, / To scorn at [their] solemnity this night" (1.5.61-62). Tybalt had never met Romeo until then, and his knowledge did not exceed the fact that Romeo was a Montague. He is stopped from pursuing an attack only because of Capulet's firm reprimand in the the fear of a brawl. Unfortunately, Tybalt is unrelenting in his distrust for Romeo, blindly driven by a deadly combination of impulsiveness and hatred for the Montagues. He subsequently confronts Romeo, who is now accompanied by Benvolio and Mercutio, over his unwelcome appearance at Capulet's ball. Having recently been married to Juliet, Romeo refuses to fight. He attempts to explain himself and thus invalidate Tybalt's contempt towards him: "I do protest I never injuried thee, / But love thee better than thou canst devise" (3.1.65-66). Romeo's peaceful submission is fruitless as the hesitant Tybalt is easily provoked by Mercutio into fighting. Even after successfully slaying Mercutio, Tybalt foolishly decides to return and fight Romeo. His hatred for the Montagues and inability to be convinced by reason eventually leads to his death.
young couple’s deaths among multiple others, along with the consequent reconciliation of the Montagues and the Capulets as they mourn for their children.
The story proves that while love can be an incentive for positive change, it can also be a dangerous catalyst capable of repercussions as severe as death. The characters of Romeo, Juliet, and Tybalt particularly set off this catalyst through irrational actions stemming from their impulsive temperaments. Romeo’s passion and sensitivity complement his love for Juliet well; however, they also frequently cloud his judgment. At the beginning of the story, he is enamored with Rosaline to the point of depression upon learning that the love is unrequited. In spite of his poor state, he is quick to move on as soon as he meets Juliet. They exchange heartfelt endearments later that night, deciding to get married before parting. After only a day since sulking over “love’s transgressions” (1.1.179), Romeo now finds himself asking Friar Lawrence to officiate his marriage. The friar is accustomed to Romeo's idealistic love, and he expresses concern when he hears that Romeo is not in love with Rosaline anymore but with Juliet: “Young men’s love then lies / Not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes” (2.3.66-68). Friar Lawrence, the voice of reason in the scenario, points out Romeo’s previous attraction
to Rosaline’s beauty reflecting in his newfound attraction to Juliet, suggesting that Romeo's love is only superficial. This would make sense considering he has not gotten to spend the adequate time necessary to fall in love with anything else about Juliet that transcends her appearance. Friar Lawrence ultimately agrees to marry them in the hopes of uniting the Montagues and the Capulets, albeit not without delivering a foreboding line: “These violent delights have violent ends” (2.6.9). Shortly after the marriage, Romeo's passion once again gets the best of him during a confrontation with Juliet's cousin Tybalt. Faced with the death of his close friend Mercutio at the hands of Tybalt, he immediately resorts to revenge by murder. After carrying out the deed, Benvolio warns him to leave before the incoming crowd of citizens and officers learn of his actions and he is arrested. Romeo woefully admits that he is "fortune's fool" (3.1.132) and departs. His impatience towards waiting for official intervention by Prince Escalus has left him not only in regret, but also in trouble. For the first time in the story, he acknowledges the consequences of his actions which he's needlessly flung upon himself. Even so, he continues to make reckless decisions that would lead to his tragic end. Tybalt is one among the many proud Capulets whose rage for the Montagues consistently overcomes his reason. At a party hosted by Capulet, he spots Romeo and immediately assumes the worst, accusing him of being a "villain that is hither come in spite, / To scorn at [their] solemnity this night" (1.5.61-62). Tybalt had never met Romeo until then, and his knowledge did not exceed the fact that Romeo was a Montague. He is stopped from pursuing an attack only because of Capulet's firm reprimand in the the fear of a brawl. Unfortunately, Tybalt is unrelenting in his distrust for Romeo, blindly driven by a deadly combination of impulsiveness and hatred for the Montagues. He subsequently confronts Romeo, who is now accompanied by Benvolio and Mercutio, over his unwelcome appearance at Capulet's ball. Having recently been married to Juliet, Romeo refuses to fight. He attempts to explain himself and thus invalidate Tybalt's contempt towards him: "I do protest I never injuried thee, / But love thee better than thou canst devise" (3.1.65-66). Romeo's peaceful submission is fruitless as the hesitant Tybalt is easily provoked by Mercutio into fighting. Even after successfully slaying Mercutio, Tybalt foolishly decides to return and fight Romeo. His hatred for the Montagues and inability to be convinced by reason eventually leads to his death.