Romeo and Juliet – Fate or Impulsive Actions?

It is believed that the almighty God controls everyone’s destiny, but it is also true that individuals are capable of shaping up their own fate with their behaviour and actions. In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, they young lovers were victims of their own impulsive actions. The lead characters were impatient and did not think before jumping to conclusions. Their carelessness is seen when Romeo and Juliet get married even though their families are at feud. The young blood of the men from both sides and their attitudes lead to street violence, and Romeo forgets to get all the information about Juliet’s death and her attraction was too strong for him to delay his suicide. Their impulsive actions and not fate or destiny leads to their unfortunate end to the young and passionate lovers.

Although it may seem that fate led to Romeo and Juliet’s death and some may argue that the circumstances were beyond the lovers’ control, however, it is evident that the latter’s impulses played a rather prominent role in their unfortunate death. With their hormones kicking in and the charm possessed by both teenagers, Romeo and Juliet fell for each other in just their first encounter. The young and immature lovers continue to see each other even after learning about the feud between their families. The two teenagers are too much in love to think or care about anything else. In addition to their forbidden love, Romeo and Juliet jump into marriage. Without thinking about the consequences of their actions, the two lovers bond in a rather permanent and legitimate relationship. To make the matter worse, their marriage is hidden from the world. Romeo and Juliet have the impression that it is necessary to keep their actions a secret, but what they are forgetting is that this secret is a potential volcanic eruption. When their families are made aware of their marriage, a huge outburst of rage and hatred is expected.

With the two families at conflict, a lot of street violence is present, mainly caused by the young blood from both sides. They young men are full of attitude and at their young age, they lack control over their actions. With the tremendous power and command at their hands, they are at the peak of their hatred for each other. Their blood reaches a boiling point every time they come face to face. Nevertheless, for some reason or the other, they are parted, thus increasing their hatred and their need to finish the unfinished business. With the tension at its peak, the young men squared up again, and this time, both sides are prepared to settle the conflict finally.

Tybalt, the Capulet, triggers their fight. Mercutio, representing the Montagues and Tybalt go at each other until Tybalt moves on to grab a hold of Romeo, his main target. Romeo does not retaliate to Tybalt’s aggression, which only proves him. In the process, Tybalt attacks Mercutio and splits him open. This proves fatal and Tybalt immediately takes off. Romeo, now having lost his best friend at the hands of his reckless enemy, is outraged. He chases Tybalt and kills him as soon as he gets a hold of him. Within a matter of minutes, two young lives are ended due to careless and impulsive actions. As a punishment, Romeo is exiled from the city and he is separated from his new wife.

Now that Romeo is banished from the city of Verona, it is impossible for the newly married couple to meet each other. Their attraction to each other and the lack of patience was killing both of them from inside. Since Juliet’s marriage is hidden from her family, her father decides to get Juliet married. Juliet is horrified with this decision and repels in vain. However, her love for Romeo was enough to push her to new limits. Along with Friar Laurence, she makes a plan to kill herself, only for two days. With Friar’s potion, she appears cold and stiff. Her body is rested in the holy tomb and as per their plan; Friar sends a letter to Romeo explaining the situation and the necessary actions. Nevertheless, due to a plague, Romeo fails to receive the letter, but is bombarded with the news of Juliet’s demise through a friend. Romeo is broken down emotionally.

This loss is too much for Romeo to handle and he impulsively decides to commit suicide in Juliet’s tomb. He enters the city of Verona and breaks in the holy tomb to find Juliet’s dead body. Her attraction was too much for him to delay his suicide and retrieve all the information. He says his parting words and drinks the poison. Just moments after Romeo’s suicide, Juliet wakes up from her deep sleep and finds Romeo dead. Juliet’s condition is more or less like Romeo’s when he found out about Juliet’s death. Likewise, Juliet kills herself using a dagger and falls cold beside Romeo’s body. The attraction between these two young people is too much for them to stop and think before doing anything. These impulses finally cause their death and an end to what could have been a very passionate and heart-touching relationship.

In Romeo and Juliet, the two lovers are torn apart by the impulsive decisions made by themselves as well as other characters in the story. Romeo and Juliet are victims of reckless and impetuous decisions more than fate and destiny. The teenagers failed to realize the consequences of their actions and jump into conclusions. There is no denial that fate played a role in the unfortunate end, but their impulsive actions and behaviour ultimately led to their death. Although unexpected situations and events, perhaps beyond human control, may arise in one’s life, they way one handles and responds to those circumstances determines the shape one’s life will take.