Relationships are a part of our daily lives. Love, friendship, hate, all associated with the idea of how we embrace our acquaintances in life. Have you ever made a decision based solely on others? If so, are we to blame for the consequences? In “Romeo and Juliet”, character motivation, irony and symbolism all address the topic of the significance of relationships and how they shape our lives. William Shakespeare’s tragic play on the love story between Romeo and Juliet reveals that significant relationships play an important role in influencing life-altering decisions, which in turn shape our present and future circumstance. Consequently, these choices centred upon others cause our decisions to be tainted by the idea that we are not culpable
…show more content…
Romeo’s supposed “love” for Juliet was a prominent factor that led to decisions that altered his future. He describes Juliet as a “beauty too rich” (1.5.46), providing emphasis on the idea of looks over true love for Juliet herself. Similarly this can be seen in the concluding scene of the play, where Romeo perceives her “beauty… full of light.” (5.3.85-86) even as she lays on her assumed deathbed. Light vs. darkness, a motif developed throughout the play Furthermore, this relates to the motif developed through the play on light vs. darkness. Juliet, who is portrayed as a “torch… burn bright.” (1.5.43), signifies the personification of light itself. The blurred line between light and darkness allowed for decisions to be made that affected the characters future. Through Romeo’s choices to seduce and marry Juliet, not fight Tybalt, and kill himself, his desire for love, or the idea of …show more content…
Are we not to blame for a decision thought to better a significant other? Often, we assume we are not at fault. Romeo’s states “O, I am fortune’s fool!” (3.1.132), implying that he blames various severe events throughout the play on fate and forces other than himself. In truth, we must face what our actions have wrought, even as our relationships manipulate and induce differing choices. Through the audience’s knowledge of these consequences, seen evidently in the fact that Juliet remains alive even as Romeo drinks his bane, further conveys the idea of rash decisions as a result of our inability to accept our role in the ramifications of our actions. Romeo, overcome with anguish and heartbreak after Juliet’s false death, acts in an impetuous manner. He eagerly embraces death in an act of passion, and “thus with a kiss (he) dies” (5.3.121). Again this relates back to the motif of light vs. darkness, providing emphasis on the lack of reason over passion. Passion is displayed as a prominent influence on character choices. For example, Romeo’s thoughts of only revenge in relation to Mercutio’s death led to a rash decision that in turn added to the tragic plot. In this conflict, Romeo undoubtedly favours passion, as his mind shifts from a “respective lenity” (3.1.118) to one that resembles “fire-eyed fury” (3.1.119). Even as our
Romeo’s supposed “love” for Juliet was a prominent factor that led to decisions that altered his future. He describes Juliet as a “beauty too rich” (1.5.46), providing emphasis on the idea of looks over true love for Juliet herself. Similarly this can be seen in the concluding scene of the play, where Romeo perceives her “beauty… full of light.” (5.3.85-86) even as she lays on her assumed deathbed. Light vs. darkness, a motif developed throughout the play Furthermore, this relates to the motif developed through the play on light vs. darkness. Juliet, who is portrayed as a “torch… burn bright.” (1.5.43), signifies the personification of light itself. The blurred line between light and darkness allowed for decisions to be made that affected the characters future. Through Romeo’s choices to seduce and marry Juliet, not fight Tybalt, and kill himself, his desire for love, or the idea of …show more content…
Are we not to blame for a decision thought to better a significant other? Often, we assume we are not at fault. Romeo’s states “O, I am fortune’s fool!” (3.1.132), implying that he blames various severe events throughout the play on fate and forces other than himself. In truth, we must face what our actions have wrought, even as our relationships manipulate and induce differing choices. Through the audience’s knowledge of these consequences, seen evidently in the fact that Juliet remains alive even as Romeo drinks his bane, further conveys the idea of rash decisions as a result of our inability to accept our role in the ramifications of our actions. Romeo, overcome with anguish and heartbreak after Juliet’s false death, acts in an impetuous manner. He eagerly embraces death in an act of passion, and “thus with a kiss (he) dies” (5.3.121). Again this relates back to the motif of light vs. darkness, providing emphasis on the lack of reason over passion. Passion is displayed as a prominent influence on character choices. For example, Romeo’s thoughts of only revenge in relation to Mercutio’s death led to a rash decision that in turn added to the tragic plot. In this conflict, Romeo undoubtedly favours passion, as his mind shifts from a “respective lenity” (3.1.118) to one that resembles “fire-eyed fury” (3.1.119). Even as our