Free Essay Sample on Romeo and Juliet: Choice or Chance

As Laozi once said, “Rushing into action, you fail. Trying to grasp things, you lose them. Forcing a project to completion, you ruin what was almost ripe``.The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is a prime example of how when rushing into things they ultimately end up failing. William Shakespeare in The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet uses dialogue to show how the devastating outcome was determined by Romeo and Juliet's own choices and not because of fate. Romeo is prone to rushing into things without much thought. When Romeo believes Juliet was dead, he observes her lively beauty. “Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty” (Shakespeare V.iii.93). Romeo looks at Juliet and expresses how beautiful she is. He describes it as death has not touched her yet. This is ironic because death had indeed not washed over her. Romeo, still oblivious to the idea that Juliet may be alive, and continues to describe her animated beauty. “Why is thou yet so fair” (Shakespeare V.iii.102). Romeo’s emotions tend to blind him from reality. He is so overwhelmed with the idea of Juliet being dead that he quickly dismisses all of the signs that she may very well still be alive. He ignores the fact that she is still beautiful and how it appears death hasn't reached or affected her. Romeo continues to describe all of Juliett’s lively qualities Despite the apparent indications that Juliet is very much alive, Romeo is blind to the fact that she is still alive. He went as far as to describe the redness in her lips and cheeks, knowing very well that death washes a person pale. Yes, by saying, “Is crimson in thy lips and cheeks, and death's pale flag is not advanced there” (Shakespeare V.iii.95-96). Romeo was warned that rushing into things would end poorly, but contorted to rush into things without much thought.

Furthermore, Friar Lawrence warns Romeo about rushing into his marriage with Juliet. Friar Lawerence explains, “These violent delights have violent ends” (Shakespeare II.vi.9). This example of foreshadowing describes how rushing into things leads to unfortunate ends. These words were spoken to Romeo just moments before he made a life-changing decision. Had he listened to Friar Laurence's warning he might have reconsidered the wedding thus changing the outcome of the story. Friar Lawrence earlier on mentioned how objects can bring both negative and positive outcomes. “Poison hath residence and medicine power” (Shakespeare II.iii.24). Friar Lawrence describes how a flower can heal which will likely bring happiness, but if the flower is missed it will result in a horrific ending. It shows how you must be careful and not rush into things. But instead, think carefully about the consequences that might occur.

Not only did Friar Lawrence show hesitation, but even Juliet showed hesitation. Juliet states how it feels “Too rash, too unadvised, too sudden” (Shakespeare II.ii.118)..This is the only moment our hesitation and thought are put before rushing into action. Through it was not much thought, it was a brief moment of realization that was then quickly ignored. This shows that they had a chance to avoid the complications and consequences of their marriage. Romeo shows a complete disregard for everyone's signs of hesitation and states, “This holy shrine the gentle sin is this” (Shakespeare I.v.94). This shows how they realize what they are doing is wrong but believe since it gives them pleasure it is worth the consequences. They recognize that what they are doing is wrong and will have punishments mean that could have been avoided if they had just taken the moment to think about it. Even though Juliet herself showed that the warning signs may have held to them, Romeo convinces her that it is worth it for the small amount of delight they would receive in return.

William Shakespeare in The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet uses dialogue to show how the devastating outcome was determined by Romeo and Juliet's own choices and not because of fate. Romeo and Juliet had numerous chances to contemplate the rushed choices they were making. Even though they were given many chances to make a better decision they chose not to take them. Fate did not determine their unfortunate demise instead, their rushed foolish actions did. Just as Laozi stated, their rushed actions led to the failure and their demise.