Effects Of Revenge In Romeo And Juliet

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“Revenge, the action of inflicting hurt or harm on someone for an injury or wrong suffered at their hands.” That is how Webster dictionary defines revenge. It seems so simple yet in Shakespeare 's, Romeo and Juliet it is so complex. He portrayed Revenge in three ways; Firstly Death, shown by Romeo killing Tybalt purely in an act of revenge, Secondly grief, illustrated by Lady Capulet 's actions after her nephew’s death and finally, acts of revenge leading to mental illness such as Romeo’s depression throughout the play. Finally the most important thing proven by these events is that Revenge can only lead to harm.

First of all Death is the most harmful outcome of revenge in Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare shows this expertly with the death
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This is shown in several ways throughout Romeo and Juliet. To begin with lady Capulet demands Romeo’s life after he kills her son. We know this judgment was clouded by grief as she wasn’t believing the true story. It is shown that she was not believing the Benvolio’s telling of the incident from her line “He is a kinsman to the Montague. Affection makes him false. He speaks not true.” (3.1,138-140) This statement is obviously clouded by grief as it is Lady Capulet after her nephew died denying Benvolio’s story is true even though several witness’ are there. This statement eventually led to Romeo’s death as it caused his banishment. Following that Paris’ grief caused his own death. The fact that grief caused his death is shown from the line “I do defy thy commination and apprehend thee for a felon here.” (5.3,76-77) This quote is Paris refusing to believe Romeo is at Juliet’s grave for any reason besides evil. This was another example of someone 's judgment being crowded by grief as Romeo tried explaining the truth to Paris but Paris refused to believe it which led to him fighting Romeo and being killed. Thirdly and most importantly grief caused Lady Montague’s death. This can be proven from the line “Grief of my son’s exile hath stopped her breath.” (5.3,226-227) Montague says this and it means that his wife, Lady Montague died at the news her son died. The is the most …show more content…
The first sign of mental illness is Romeo’s depression at the beginning of the play. This is probably the most noticeable sign of mental illness and you can see it in the line “Many a morning hath he there been seen, with tears augmenting the fresh morning’s dew, adding to clouds more clouds with his deep sighs. (1.1, 121-123) Montague says this worried about his son 's sadness. He explains how he cries and sleeps a lot after breaking up with Rosaline. These are symptoms of depression proving he was depressed. This could of caused him to act more suicidal/rash later in the play for example; killing Tybalt or committing suicide. Secondly, Tybalt may have Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). It is a disorder which starts during childhood and means you have trouble controlling your emotions and can lead to impulsive and reckless behaviour. There are several quotes and scenes proving Tybalt has BPD for example the scene where he gets really angry that Romeo came to their feast “Come hither, cover 'd with an antic face, To fleer and scorn at our solemnity? Now, by the stock and honor of my kin, To strike him dead I hold it not a sin.” (1.5,55-58) This quote shows Tybalt getting ridiculously angry over practically nothing. Tybalt’s possible BPD would explain his death and when he murdered Mercutio. Now

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