Bad Decision

By:Ashley Rasor

As the end nears Romeo and Juliet must cast their decision upon what may lie ahead

of their future rather remembering their past. The decision is upon them what will they

choose, could it be in the midst of a feud or agreement and settlement from the past?

In Romeo and Juliet the reader can recall that Sometimes its the smallest decisions

that changes your life foreveras the saying is told (Russel). This connects to Romeo and

Juliets struggle by saying that when they choose a decision it could change their life and

perspective forever. Which comes with the greatest decision to die for what you love or

survive for what you desire to have. Will there be bad decisions introduced to characters or

will each get the best of their luck? In life we all go through decisions debating about

whether we should make the right decision or bad decision, in this case the characters

went through many bad decisions. The story then unfolds when you first begin to turn the

page.

The main bad decision with Romeo was when he pledged the idea that he wanted to

marry Juliet as soon as possible. This was a bad decision because her parents wanted her

to marry Paris instead of a Montague. To make the story interesting thats when Romeo

could of interceded and could have then planned to stop the wedding from happening. One

of the main decisions was when Romeo had to decide whether to kill Tybalt or not when

Tybalt had killed Mercutio. Romeo- This shall determine that. Benvolio- Romeo away, be

gone! The citizens are up, and Tybalt slain. Stand not amazed. The Prince thee death If thou
art taken.Hence be gone away!(Shakespeare 1048-1049). This is the part where Romeo

could have decided to not fight Tybalt and could have listened to Benvolio because Romeo

should have taken it a different way instead of the wrong way since Tybalt accidently

stabbed Mercutio for his jokes and misbehavior. Shakespeare uses a lot of characterization

in Romeo to show how he is still rebellious but easily influenced at times in the play.

Juliet had made a bad decision when going to the Friar because she decided to go to

the him and so he could help her come up with a plan to get out of the marriage between

her and Paris. Next is when she had the choice whether to drink the potion or not. She

could have chosen not to drink it which could have lead her to marry Paris but, could have

still lead to a different outcome in the end rather than everyone getting killed. Juliet says

Give me, give me! O tell me no fear! Love give me strength shall help afford.Farewell dear

father(Shakespeare 1076). This quote shows how desperate Juliet is about getting the

potion and also getting out of marrying Paris and being able to stay with Romeo. Which

lead to Juliet not showing any concern that she could even possibly die from this potion

because you never know what it could contain inside. Shakespeare shows characterization

in Juliet by expressing how desperate she is for the biggest decisions of her life

Friar Lawrence was the one to mainly talk to Juliet about her problems and what she

wants in life. Friar Lawrence made the decision to give Juliet the sleeping potion. Friar says

Take thou this vial, being then in bed,And this distilled liquor drink thou off;(Shakespeare

1075). This proves that he is the one that came up with the plan for Juliet and tells her what

will happen to her when she takes it.Paris was another character who also made bad

decisions by showing tension when Romeo came to visit Juliet in her tomb. Paris this is
that banisht haughty Montague that murdered my loves cousin ( Shakespeare 1093) .Paris

made a bad decision by trying to get Romeo to leave the tomb because he believes that

Romeo caused Tybalt's death which had lead to Juliets unhappiness. This had lead to Paris

exposing himself and getting himself killed. Shakespeare uses characterization in Friar

Lawrence by showing that hes innocent but, has some tricks up his sleeve.

The Nurse had started out by choosing to keep Romeo and Juliet's wedding a secret.

This was a bad decision because if Lady and Lord Capulet had ever found out from the

Nurse that Juliet was secretly married to him the Nurse would have been sent out to

another kingdom or village. The Nurse also made a bad decision when she was basically

chosen to be the messenger for Romeo and Juliet because someone could have told on her

and she would of had to confess everything that she has heard or seen to either the Prince

or Lady and Lord Capulet. The nurse had also recommended that Juliet marry Paris since

Romeo betrayed her. As Paris hath. Beshrew my very heart,I think you are happy in this

second match, For it excels your first; or if it did not your first is dead(Shakespeare 1070).

This quote helps explain that the Nurse believes that this second marriage will be better

than her first since Romeo betrayed her. Shakespeare characterization is used for the

Nurse as being a messenger and comical in the play.

Finally Lady Capulet had made bad decisions mainly against Juliet. Lady Capulet had

told Juliet about looking for a husband as soon as possible knowing that she is still young.

Juliet also feels lonely because she never gets to have that mother daughter relationship

that shes been wanting to have. Lady Capulet lets Juliet have the option to choose her own

husband. Read oer the volume of young Paris face, And find delight writ there with
beautys pen; (Shakespeare 1008). This explains that Lady Capulet is clearly giving

information about Paris to Juliet. Lady Capulet tries to describe Paris as a book with class

that Juliet should read and try as a new experience. Shakespeare uses characterization by

making Lady Capulet to show how she is in charge and how she treats her daughter not

much with knowledge and respect.

The end has come and we can review that Romeo and Juliet has a lot of problems

that they have been through. We can now see that they havent been worried about their

past but, more of their future. You can make bad choices and find yourself in a downward

spiral or you can find something that gets you out( LaMontagne). In Romeo and Juliet they

both made bad decisions by wanting to be together which in the end had lead to both of

their deaths in the end. This play shows that you should be careful on what people you

meet and where you might end up in the future, either alive or dead?
 Works cited

"Ray LaMontagne Quotes." BrainyQuote. Xplore. Web. 14 Feb. 2017.

Russel, Keri. "Decisions Sayings and Decisions Quotes | Wise Old Sayings." Decisions

Sayings and Decisions Quotes | Wise Old Sayings. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Feb. 2017.

Shakespeare, William Romeo and Juliet Applebee, Arthur N. The Language of Literature.

Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell, 2002. Print.