Romeo and Juliet Final Exam Study Guide Responses
1. Plot Events and Sequence
The inciting brawl and the Prince’s warning to both families.
Timeline:
Sampson and Gregory, 2 Capulets bite their thumbs at Abram and Balthasar, 2 Montagues.
The two groups exchange words, wordplay where they try not to be at fault.
Benvolio enters and tries to break up the fight, but Tybalt intervenes and attacks Benvolio. A massive brawl ensues.
The Prince enters and warns the families that if any fight of any kind occurs again, both families will suffer the consequence of death.
The Prince decides to meet with Capulet and Montague later.
Cause and Effect: The deep-seated feud between families causes even the servants to clash, which causes a dangerous event in the courtyard, that leads to the Prince being forced to make a threat of death.
Romeo’s state of mind at the start of the play-who he loves and why that matters
Timeline:
Benvolio sees Romeo and goes up to him.
Romeo mourns because he loves Rosaline, a devout women who has vowed to take an oath of chastity.
Cause and Effect: Romeo’s idealistic and romantic nature causes him to fall in love with a woman who is impossible for him to reach.This is important because it shows a pattern of Romeo falling in love with who he cannot have.
The Capulet feast- what Romeo and Juliet discover about each other and what it means
Timeline:
A servant who cannot read accidentally invites Benvolio and Romeo.
Benvolio convinces Romeo to attend the Capulet Ball, knowing that all Romeo needs to escape his dreary mood is another beautiful woman to focus on.
They attend the Ball along with Mercutio
Mercutio gives his “King Mab” speech.
Capulet gets all the young people on the dance floor.
Tybalt quarrels with Capulet as he notices Romeo and wants to kill him, but Capulet angrily denies the opportunity.
Romeo is infatuated at first sight when he sees Juliet.
The two begin speaking and have instant chemistry, highlighted by their shared soliloquy.
They kiss and depart.
Minutes later, the two discover that they are of opposing families and begin to panic.
Romeo comments that he is now indebted to the Capluets, his great enemy, for producing his true love.
Juliet comments on how the timing is bad, as she is already in love with Romeo
Cause and Effect: Romeo and Benvolio’s reckless attendance of the party causes Romeo and Juliet to meet in a setting where bias is not considered. This causes a forbidden love to grow before it’s nature is discovered.
The balcony scene and the decision to marry-how quickly this unfolds
Timeline:
Romeo escapes his friends, climbing the Capulet wall to see Juliet.
Juliet performs a soliloquy expressing her disdain for how only Romeo’s name is an obstacle to their love. She expresses that she cannot comprehend how such a intangible thing could make their love impossible.
Romeo is listening and overhears Juliet effectively express her love for him.
Romeo reveals himself, and the two exchange demonstrations of love.
Juliet suggests marriage to prove that Romeo’s “love” is not a joke, or has some cruel reasoning.
The two agree, and promise to marry the next day, as they are very “high” on young love, reckless from it.
Cause and Effect: Romeo and Juliet’s love causes them to ignore the potential risks that marriage can have, allowing them to agree to marriage.
Friar Lawrence’s reasoning for agreeing to marry them
Timeline:
The friar at first believes Romeo has spent the night with Rosaline.
The friar is shocked that Romeo has moved on at such a brisk pace, wary of the idea that Romeo is truly in love.
The friar chides Romeo for being so reckless, saying the stain from the tears he wept for Rosaline remains.
The friar eventually agrees to marry the couple, as he believes that if their marriage is successful, it could remedy the feud between families in Verona.
Cause and Effect: The friar’s desire to be the man to remedy the situation in Verona, allows his mind to bypass the absurdity of Romeo’s suggestions and actions.
The street fight: Mercutio, Tybalt, and Romeo- who does what and why
Timeline:
Benvolio and Mercutio open the scene by arguing over who is more “quarrelsome.” This foreshadows the dangerous impacts of being quarrelsome that would be on display.
Tybalt enters and begins to quarrel with Mercutio, who will not back down, as he is proud. Tybalt is trying to find Romeo, as Romeo dishonored him by coming to the Capulet Ball.
Romeo enters, and Tybalt begins to insult him calling him a “villain.” Romeo responds by saying Tybalt is unaware of why, but Romeo must love him. Romeo must love him as he is married to Juliet.
Mercutio is angered by Tybalt’s disrespect and defends Romeo’s honor.
Romeo tries to stop the fight, and due to his intervention, Tybalt stabs Mercutio.
Mercutio curses the families, for their feud is what kills him, and then retires to die.
Driven by his guilt at Mercutio’s death, Romeo goes and kills Tybalt, striking him with rage, and runs away.
The Prince arrives and the families plead their case. The Prince declares Romeo is now banished from Verona, he only escapes death as Tybalt killed Mercutio.
Cause and Effect: The quarrelsome nature of Tybalt causes a mass brawl that results in Romeo’s inability to be with Juliet in Verona by law.
Romeo’s punishment and where he goes immediately afterward
Timeline:
Romeo is punished with banishment from Verona.
He goes to Friar Laurence’s cell, and cries about how all but him can live in Verona with Juliet.
The Friar and the Nurse, who has come to tell Romeo of Juliet’s sadness, talk him down from suicide.
The Friar chides him very aggressively, and promises Romeo they will figure something out.
Romeo is convinced and leaves in good spirits.
Cause and Effect: Romeo’s actions send him into a devastated mood and cause him to be banned from Mantua.
Lord Capulet’s sudden plan for Juliet and Paris- and what it sets in motion
Timeline:
Juliet is devastated and others believe it is because of Tyablt’s death.
Lord Capulet decides to marry Juliet off with Paris to cure her sadness, get her mind off the death.
Discusses her sadness and “anger” with Lady Capulet about Romeo and Tybalt’s lack of presence, very ambiguously and Lady Capulet tells Juliet that she will be married, and Juliet is very opposed.
Lord Capulet hears of Juliet’s opposition, and reams her claiming that she is ungrateful, a burden, and if she does not marry she will no longer be a Capulet. At this point Juliet truly must choose between Romeo and her family, with the new day the secret can no longer hide under the guise of night.
Cause and Effect: Lord Capulet’s desire to avoid appearing to lack the ability to control Juliet, causes him to make quick decisions that put Juliet in a difficult place.
Juliet’s “sleeping potion” plan- what it involves and what could go wrong
Timeline:
Friar Laurence makes a plan that allows Juliet to escape marriage.
The first step is Juliet consents to marry Paris, appearing enthusiastic.
The second step is for Juliet to drink the vial at night with no one else present.
The Capulets will think she is dead and bury her.
Romeo will know through correspondence of the plan, and the Friar and Romeo will save Juliet and Romeo and her will escape to Mantua.
Juliet worries that the mixture will not work, the Friar is trying to poison her to escape blame for her and Romeo’s marriage, and she wakes up and dies from a lack of air, and finally she will be terrified in the tomb surrounded by the dead.
Cause and Effect: Juliet’s desperation causes the Friar to be willing to create a very risky plan that will eventually lead to the deaths of her, Romeo and Paris.
How Romeo receives news about Juliet and the tragic chain of miscommunication
Timeline:
Friar John is stopped at the gates of Mantua as the guard believes has come in contact with an ill person and carries an infection so Romeo does not learn of the plan.
Balthasar comes bearing news of Juliet’s death.
This miscommunication causes Romeo to be sent into a stupor and he purchases poison from an Apothecary.
Cause and Effect: Friar John’s bad luck and the guards being stubborn causes Romeo to be incapable of learning the plan, hence sending him down the wrong path of actions.
The tomb scene-the order of deaths ad how each character dies
Paris and his page are at the graveyard and Paris promises to bring Juliet flowers as he truly loved her.
Romeo arrives and tells Balthasar to leave to deliver a letter, as Romeo is entering the tomb to admire Juliet.
Balthasar hides rather than actually leaving as he fears what Romeo will do to himself.
Romeo curses the tomb, and then opens the tomb, saying he will fill it with more death.
Paris notices Romeo and is furious as he knows Romeo is Tybalt’s murderer and believes he wants to vandalize the tomb in some manner.
Paris says he must apprehend Romeo and Romeo says he is very upset, but Paris doubles down and they duel.
Romeo kills Paris, and Paris requests to be laid with Juliet. Romeo gives a soliloquy where he expresses his regret for killing Mercutio’s kinsman.
Romeo admires Juliet commenting how there is “red in her cheeks,” in a massive soliloquy, where he describes death as evil and Juliet’s lover.
Romeo kills himself with the poison.
Friar Laurence arrives and Balthasar tells him that Romeo is in the tomb.
The Friar sees Romeo and Paris’s dead bodies, as Juliet is awaking and tells her they must leave.
Juliet refuses to leave and tries to kill herself with Romeo’s poison, fails, and stabs herself with Romeo’s dagger.
Cause and Effect: The string of misinformation and misunderstandings cause Paris, Romeo and Juliet’s deaths.
How the families respond at the very end
The Friar, Page, and Balthasar explain the events to the families and the Prince.
All express regrets, with the Prince decreeing all are responsible and all are punished, as all have lost kinsman.
The families promise statues of the other’s children, as they are devastated by the death that their hate has induced.
The families wake up to the idiocy of their feud but it's too late.
Cause and Effect: Romeo and Juliet’s deaths cause the families to end their feud, as they realize the errors of their ways, only the deaths of their children awaken them.
2. Characters and their Motivations
Romeo
Defining Traits
Impulsive-This is demonstrated his string of actions in the Balcony Scene, his decisions to enter the Capulet orchard, reveal himself and agree to marry so quickly demonstrate he is impulsive, and does not think things through.
Romantic- Romeo shows that he is romantic early on when he speaks of his “deep love'“ for Rosaline, despite not having any true connection with them, and her vow of chastity. He falls in love quickly and is highly dramatic about it.
Role in the Plot
Romeo’s impulsiveness causes him to make a plethora of irrational and not well thought out choices, that push the plot forward. He is always the person who’s actions cause development in the plot. For example he is who initiates the conversation with Juliet at the Capulet Ball, he is who initiates the conversation in the Capulet Orchard, he is who kills Tybalt. He is the one who chooses to get the poison from the Apothecary. Romeo is highly impulsive, which causes the plot to move quickly as rather than utilizing patience, he makes impulsive decisions that move the play towards tragedy.
Key Choices
Attending the Capulet Ball.
Going up to Juliet, without thinking of her potential identity.
Entering the Capulet Orchard.
Killing Tyablt.
Purchasing poison from the Apothecary.
Killing Paris.
Killing himself, without expanding on his realization that Juliet is red in the face.
Juliet
Defining Traits
Obedient yet bold- Juliet often follows her parent’s directions, but is incredibly willing to take on risk to move towards what she cares about. For the entirety of the play, she takes large risks displaying how she is bold. This is clear when she suggests marriage to Romeo first, it requires one to be very bold to suggest marriage after 2 hours. Yet, she still wants to follow the directions of her parents, never truly opposing them, until she absolutely has to, to save her love.
Bravery- Juliet takes a multitude of risks in the play, because of her commitment to Romeo. She takes the draught despite her intense fears regarding it, showing that she is not risk adverse, when it comes to Romeo. She is also willing to forsake her life with her family to be in Mantua with Romeo, it takes bravery to go from entirely dependent on a group of people to abandoning one’s old life to be with one’s lover.
Conflicted- Juliet struggles to make decisions of who to commit to, which is clear when she learns of Tybalt’s murder. She is at first devastated and furious, but immediately flips to defending Romeo.
Role In the Plot
Juliet is the catalyst for true action. Juliet suggests marriage with Romeo, creating true plans. While Romeo’s impulsiveness drives the plot forward, Juliet’s calculated decisions truly are what causes the plot to go in the direction it does. Juliet has to deal with the adversity that Romeo creates, but does so with plans, changing outcomes with big decisions that she truly thinks out. This is clear when she is conflicted on taking the draught, showing she thinks through many of her actions, and analyzes big picture consequences.
Key Choices
Initiates talks of marriage.
Resists Paris’s hand.
Continuous displays of loyalty to Romeo.
Acting on the plan to fake her death.
Taking her own life.
Friar Laurence
Defining Traits
Strategist- The friar develops plans and makes decisions that significantly affect the plot. His development of the plan to fake Juliet’s death is perhaps the most directly connected decision to the death of the lovers. He actively works to solve decisions, leading to constructive ideas, but his desire to be the one to solve these problems, is somewhat instrumental in the deaths of Romeo and Juliet.
Confidant- The friar is the man who Romeo goes to when he is distraught, and Juliet later does the same, when she cannot trust the Nurse. The friar talks both of them down from the suicide.
Role in the Plot
Friar Laurence is the character that first confirms Romeo ad Juliet’s love, through agreeing to marry them, giving their love a sense of truth, rather than exclusively lust. His choices and decisions drive the plot, as his directions to both of the lovers causes them to act in a certain way, that ultimately results in their deaths. This is because his ideas are somewhat risky. The friar is the harbinger of hope, always keeping the lovers spirits up, and keeping them from suicide.
Key Choices
Agrees to marry Romeo & Juliet.
Revitalizes Romeo’s spirit after Romeo is banished.
Comforts Juliet.
Makes the Sleeping Potion Plan.
He informs the families and the Prince of the truth.
Mercutio
Defining Traits
Loyal- He defends Romeo’s honor, fighting Tybalt for him, despite Romeo not reciprocating.
Witty- Mercutio makes constant puns, calling out Romeo for his mistakes, his wit keeps Romeo accountable. It is important to consider, that part of the reason is so rash in act 5, is because of Mercutio’s absence.
Role in the Plot
Mercutio drives the plot by influences Romeo’s decisions. He convinces Romeo to attend the Capulet Ball, being honest to Romeo about how he is being absurd. He keeps Romeo accountable for his choices both during his life and after death, as his death and dying words cause Romeo to realize that he must kill Tybalt.
Key Choices
Chooses to convince Romeo to attend the ball.
Quarreling with Tyablt.
Curses Romeo for intervening in the fight.
Tyablt
Defining Traits
Honor-bound- All of Tybalt’s choices are driven to defend his own honor. He fights Benvolio and quarrels with Romeo and Mercutio because they violate his honor. All of his choices are driven by a desire to defend his name and his honor. His desire to defend his honor makes him hot-headed and impulsive.
Role in the Plot
He serves to advance the plot by force. He forces Romeo to own up to his choices, through creating a brawl, where Romeo has to make a choice. In addition, his death is a catalyst for Juliet, because it is the first time she truly has to choose between Romeo and her family. Her choosing of Romeo marks a major turning point, induced by Tybalt’s death.
Key Choices
Attacking Benvolio without provocation.
Trying to attack Romeo at the party.
Initiation of the fight in the square.
Killing Mercutio.
The Nurse
Defining Traits
Humorous- The Nurse constantly makes lewd jokes at inappropriate times.
Caretaker- The Nurse performs Juliet’s necessary deeds in Acts 1-3, taking care of Juliet and being Juliet’s person to cry on.
Role in the Plot
The Nurse’s role is to be the voice of reason, which is why it is so important when Juliet stops listening. From the very beginning, the Nurse supports Paris, suggesting Juliet should consider him. Yet she goes along with Juliet’s ideas, supporting the lovers through being a messenger, she continues this until, Act 3 Scene 5, where she suggests that Juliet should marry Paris. This is a key turning point as it marks the first moment where Juliet no longer is following the Nurse’s voice of reason, making her actions more unpredictable, and without a second voice of reason to consider, Juliet is no longer supported.
Key Choices
She supports Lady Capulet’s suggestion of marriage.
She helps Juliet pursue Romeo.
She chooses to suggest Paris as a superior lover.
Lord Capulet
Defining Traits
Temperamental-He is not always angry, but in moments of frustration he is extremely unreasonable, insulting others and screaming. He clearly cannot handle adversity well, lashing out when others interrupt his plans.
Role in the Plot
His role in the plot is advancing the plot through creating a situation where Juliet is forced to pick, and questions her own merits. His rash attitude towards Juliet and Paris’s’ marriage moving it up a day without Juliet or Lady Capulet’s consent, puts Juliet in a very difficult place, and makes the events of the play much more unpredictable. Due to how unpredictable he is, he also does things such as allowing Romeo to remain at the party, he advances the plot negatively and positively.
Key Choices
At first allows Juliet to choose marriage.
Allowing Romeo to stay at the Capulet Ball and preventing Tybalt from attacking Romeo.
Taking away Juliet’s choice of marrying Paris.
Forgiving Montague.
Paris
Defining Traits
Gentleman-Defends the Capulet’s honor at the tomb, as he truly does care about Juliet, not pushing her or coaxing Capulet to force her, despite his hopes.
Role in the Plot
He serves as a representative of Juliet’s other option. He represents her conflict, marrying him is a representative of Juliet following her parents desire. He represents to Juliet what her life is without Romeo, which is why she does not like him.
Key Choices
Pursuing Juliet.
Trying to apprehend Romeo.
3. Preparing for Quote Identification
The quotes below give an idea of how the characters speak and are a blueprint for identification.
The Balcony Scene (Act 2, Scene 2)
The lovers exchange promises of love.
“‘Tis but thy name that is my enemy. Thou art thyself, though not a Montague” (2.2.38-39)
This is Juliet speaking on how only Romeo’s name is her enemy, not him himself.
“Lady, by yonder blessèd moon I vow, That tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops” (2.2.107-108).
This is Romeo trying to prove his love is true to Juliet.
Tybalt’s Confrontations (Act 1 & 3)
“What! Dares the slave Come hither, covered with an antic face, To fleer and scorn at our solemnity” (1.5.55-57)
This is Tyablt demonstrating his quick temper and his speech pattern that reflects it.
“Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries That thou hast done me; therefore turn and draw” (3.1.63-65).
This is Tybalt showing his incredibly sharp speech pattern.
Juliet’s potion soliloquy (Act 4, Scene 3)
“What if it be a poison which the friar Subtly hat minist’red to have me dead” (4.3.25).
Demonstrates Juliet’s deeply seated fears about the friar’s betrayal.
“Shall I be married then tomorrow morning? No, no! This shall forbid it. Lie thou there” (4.3.22-23).
Shows that Juliet overcomes his fears, demonstrating great courage.
The Nurse’s counsel scenes (Act 2 & 3)
“But you shall bear the burden soon at night. Go; I’ll to dinner, hie you to the cell” (2.5.76-77).
This is the Nurse advising to Juliet to go marry Romeo, she supports the marriage here.
“I think it best you married with the County. O, he’s a lovely gentleman!” (3.5.219-220).
The Nurse no longer support Juliet’s desire to be with Romeo, she is more practical suggesting that Paris is the better option.
Friar Lawrence’s Advice Act II & III:
“These violent delights have violent ends And in their triumph die, like fire and powder, Which, as they kiss, consume. The sweetest honey Is loathsome in his own deliciousness And in the taste confounds the appetite. Therefore love moderately. Long love doth so. Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow.”
Lord Capulet’s speeches:
“Sir Paris, I will make a desperate tender Of my child's love. I think she will be ruled in all respects by me. Nay, more, I doubt it not.”
“Look you, she loved her kinsman Tybalt dearly, And so did I. Well, we were born to die.”
Romeo at the Tomb:
“O my love, my wife, Death, that hath sucked the honey of thy breath, Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty. Thou art not conquered. ”
“Come, bitter conduct, come, unsavory guide! Thou desperate pilot, now at once run on The dashing rocks thy seasick, weary bark! Here's to my love! O true apothecary, Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die.”
Mercutio’s Queen Mab speech (Act 1, Scene 4)
“She is the fairies’ midwife, and she comes In shape no bigger than an agate stone” (1.4.55).
Demonstrates the speech’s fantastical nature.
“O’er lawyers’ fingers, who straight dream on fees; O’er ladies’ lips, who straight on kisses dream” (73-74).
Mercutio uses wordplay to compare the dreams of two separate groups to demonstrate the widespread impact of dreams.
4. Literary Terms-Definitions and Examples
Oxymoron
A pairing of two words that contradict each other, one example is when Juliet describes Romeo as “A damnèd saint” (3.2.79).
Oxymorons show inner conflict. Here Juliet is conflicted about her love for Romeo in light of hearing his recent deeds.
Pun
A word used for two meanings at once-generally to build humor, an example is when Romeo says, “I am too sore enpiercèd with his shaft To soar with his light feathers” (1.4.19-20).
This plan on words from Romeo is in response to Mercutio’s attempts to get him to consider romance again, he claims effectively that he is too sad to fly looking for love.
Simile
A comparison made between 2 things using the words “like” or “as.” One example is when Tybalt says, Talk of peace! I hate the word As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee” (1.4.65-66).
This comparison demonstrates Tybalt’s violent nature, through this language that conveys it so strongly.
Metaphor
A direction comparison between two things without “like” or “as” (differentiates from simile). One example is when Romeo says, “What a light through yonder window breaks? It is the East, and Juliet is the sun” (2.2.2-3).
Romeo is effectively using a metaphor to say Juliet is the light in his world, despite only knowing her for a few days.
Personification
Giving human traits to non-human things. This can be emotions, appearance, facial expressions. An example is when Romeo says, “Shall I believe That unsubstantial Death is amorous” (5.3.102-103).
Romeo uses personification to liken Death to Juliet’s lover, as it has taken her from him.
Alliteration
Repetition of the same initial consonant sound in nearby words. The words do not necessarily need to be consecutive, just close nearby. An example is when Friar Laurence says, “The day to cheer and night’s dank dew to dry” (2.3.6).
The friar sets a calming nature mood through this consonant repetition.
Soliloquy
A speech delivered alone on stage that delivers inner thoughts. The most significant example is Juliet’s soliloquy before drinking the potion. She pours out her inner thoughts, first reaching out to the Nurse, then realizing the Nurse is no longer a trusted confidant. She expresses her fears, that the friar will betray her, her fear of the tomb’s contents, and is quite afraid of the death the tomb represents.
This soliloquy demonstrates that soliloquies allow one to truly understand character’s inner thoughts. One needs the soliloquy to understand how and why Juliet decides to drink the potion.
Monologue
A long speech from one characters to other characters. Does not necessarily convey inner thoughts. An example is Mercutio’s Queen Mab speech, where he uses a deranged fairy to convey the nature of dreams to Romeo.
Speeches like these allow characters to truly develop ideas to other characters, moreso than just small bits of dialogue.
Aside
A brief remark that a character makes to the audience, unheard by other characters. One example is when Balthasar says to the audience, “For all this same, I’ll hid me herabout. His looks I fear, and his intents I doubt” (5.3.43.44).
This aside conveys to the audience that Balthasar doubts Romeo’s intentions and self control.
Dramatic Irony
When the audience knows something a character does not. An example is in the tomb scene, when Romeo comments, “Is crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks” (5.3.95).
The audience is aware that there is red in Juliet’s cheeks as she is alive, but Romeo is completely unaware, hence creating the dramatic irony that causes Romeo’s suicide.
Foreshadowing
A subtle hint at events to come. One example is when Juliet says, “Methinks I see thee, now thou art so low, As one dead in the bottom of a tomb Either my eyesight fails, or thou lookest pale” (3.5.55-57).
Juliet foreshadows Romeo’s death in the tomb, through envisioning the event. While not especially subtle, this example still alludes to how Romeo will die.
5. Details worth Double-Checking
The prince’s exact punishment after the first street fight- The Prince threatens death, if the family’s continue to fight.
Friar Lawrence’s initial reaction to Romeo’s new love- At first, the friar chides Romeo for so quickly moving on.
Tybalt’s discovery at the Capulet feast- Tybalt sees Romeo, insolently attending the Capulet ball.
Romeo’s emotional reaction to the news of his banishment- Romeo is distraught, primarily because he will not be able to see Juliet anymore. He is not able to brighten his spirits independently, the Nurse and the friar need to chide him and convince him.
Lord Capulet’s ultimatum when Juliet refuses to marry Paris- Lord Capulet’s ultimatum is that Juliet must either marry Paris or be disowned. If she does not marry, she no longer is a Capulet.
The Nurse’s final advice to Juliet- does she support Romeo or Paris- The Nurse supports Paris, as she believes that Romeo is no longer an option and Paris is better besides.
How Juliet actually dies- what weapon or method- Juliet dies from stabbing herself. After trying to attain poison through kissing Romeo, she is incapable and wishes Romeo left it for her, hence she stabs herself with Romeo’s dagger.
Whether peace or further conflict ends the play- At the end peace ends the play, as the two families realize the error of their ways and make statues for each other.
6. Themes to Understand
Haste and Impulsivity
Haste and impulsivity leads to tragedy for every character. Romeo and Juliet’s decision to marry one another is a very large example of haste and impulsivity, as there is no rush to make such a brash decision yet they marry regardless. This causes them to eventually die as it forces them to spin a web of lies, that causes their deaths. Tybalt exemplifies haste and impulsivity by starting a brawl for effectively no reason, attacking the Prince’s cousin. His impulsiveness causes his own tragedy, his own death. Lord Capulet is impulsive when he pushes Paris and Juliet towards marriage, rushing things, he is too hasty, making him directly responsible for Juliet’s death, as he puts her in the situation where she must choose to make a highly risky plan.
Fate vs. Free Will
The characters free will is the ultimate determinant in what happens to them. Romeo makes conscious decisions throughout, attending the Ball, going to the orchard, killing Tybalt, going to the apothecary, committing suicide, that push him towards the situation he ends up in. Romeo’s actions are conscious choices that influence his end result, fate is created by choices not predetermined. Juliet also consciously chooses to marry Romeo, ignoring the risks, the fact that she endures difficult circumstances afterwards, does not make her a victim of fate, but a victim of choice.
Love and Conflict
The feud serves as the creator of every obstacle for Romeo and Juliet to exist as lovers. Every situation occurs how it does, because they must hide their love, exists because of the feud. They have to act as they do, because of the feud. Furthermore, Romeo’s killing of Tybalt, a major turning point that leads to the double suicide, exists because of the feud, nothing more. Without the feud, Romeo and Juliet is a love story, not a tragedy. Furthermore, all characters that know of their love, act accordingly and all others act the opposite. Those with the knowledge act in accordance, because death will surely come if they do not. A specific obstacle that exists is Lord Capulet rushing the marriage, the feud causes him to be unaware of Romeo and Juliet, causing him to plan another wedding. Without the feud, Paris would never even factor in.
Youth and authority
The actions of the authority figures in Romeo and Juliet shape the results of Romeo and Juliet, and to an extent fail the needs of the lovers. The parents creating a world where Romeo and Juliet cannot love, is ultimately a failure, as any parent who unreasonably restricts their children from being able to express their emotions and loves, is ultimately failing their child. The friar fails the lovers as his choice to not shut down the unreasonable and impossible love, when he has the ability to do so, is ultimately a failure, as he is aware it may lead to their downfall. His choices shape Romeo and Juliet’s actions, giving them hope and allowing their love to exist. The Prince fails the lovers, as his complacency to proactively end the feud in Verona makes him partly responsible for the dangers that Romeo and Juliet encounter. They must hide their love, as the Prince hides from taking charge in Verona.