Sacrifice In Romeo And Juliet

Have you ever been in a situation where your family members were not supportive of your decisions? What would you do if you were torn to choose between your family and your feelings? Sometimes, life gives rise to countless sacrifices, mostly because we wish to fulfill our values. Shakespeare conveys the theme of how values make us who we are, but also cause us to surrender some of our most prized possessions and people, and generate challenging obstacles we must learn to fight and overcome. Think of one sacrifice you’ve recently made, you can probably think of a few! Whether you gave your little cousin your last cookie, or turned down your singing career to start a family life, you’ve made a sacrifice. In the play Romeo and Juliet, by William …show more content…
If a Capulet sneaking around with a Montague wasn’t hazardous enough, Juliet was willing to run away with Romeo, who was supposed to be banished, and give up her home, and the luxuries of being in an upper class family, and the comfort of being surrounded by people she loved to go into hiding with Romeo. Juliet became willing to risk her safety when she faced the unknown of drinking the potion Friar Laurence gave her, which caused her to temporarily die, just long enough for her to be buried and meet up with Romeo. Juliet risked her safety because she trusted the Friar to give her an unknown potion, which she took willingly, which shows how strong of dedication she had to live with Romeo. Juliet’s wellbeing was at potential harm, since the potion could have failed and killed her, but Juliet was open minded to risk anything and everything to be with Romeo. Juliet was aware she was risking never waking up, and how the Friar could’ve given her poison to kill her, “What if it be a poison, which the Friar/ Subtly hath ministered to have me dead,” (4.3.73) but she surrendered her life for Romeo, “Romeo, I come! This do I drink to thee” (4.3.73). Most significantly, Juliet gave up her own life to pursue her faith of love. After Romeo had poisoned himself, Juliet felt she had nothing to live for, and no purpose to keep living. She had broken ties with her mother, father, and nurse, had no lover, and had lost Tybalt. She couldn't live without Romeo, and therefore, committed suicide by stabbing herself with Romeo’s dagger, “This is thy sheath; there rust, and let me die” (5.3.88). People don’t take their lives on the daily, they must have a real, genuine reason for doing so. Juliet’s burning passion to carry out what was important to her and stick to her values played a huge role in her