Does Romeo Behave Rashly While Juliet Shows Superior Judgement?
Uploaded by Ethan on Jan 22, 1999
I do not totally agree that Romeo behaves rashly while Juliet shows superior judgement. It does seem as though Romeo is more confident and quick to make decisions, and Juliet takes her time and thinks it over first. Both Romeo and Juliet make some good decisions by showing good judgement but also some mistakes by acting hastily without thinking.
Juliet behaves in a careful and thoughtful manner in different stages of the play. An example of this is when Lady Capulet talks to her about marrying Paris. She declines the offer, "It's an honour that I dream not of." She does not think that she is ready to marry yet, and has not thought about it. He leaves the option open and tells her mother that she "will look to like", meaning she will try and like him but only go as far as her mother wants. Juliet is not sure if she wants to marry Paris but she will consider it while she gets to know him.
In other parts of the play Juliet is quite rash and acts thoughtlessly and very quickly. One example of this is when she wakes up in the tomb and finds out the Romeo is dead. She refuses to listen to Friar Lawrence's pleas, to leave the tomb and come with him to a nunnery. Instead she tells him "Go, get thee hence, for I will not away." She tries to poison herself but there is none left. When she hears the watch coming she grabs Romeo's dagger and fatally stabs herself. Juliet is so upset she doesn't think and tries to poison herself instead of listening to the Friar, and in desperation of death, kills herself with the dagger.
Romeo is careful and considerate in some parts of the play. An example of this is when he tries to convince his friends not to go to the Capulet ball : "'tis no wit to go". Another example is when Juliet confesses her desire to marry him, he goes and speaks to Friar Lawrence. He explains the difficult situation to the friar and asks for his help. Romeo acts with forethought on both occasions. When he tells his friends not to go to the Capulet ball, he is thinking ahead about the consequences. He is also cautious about his love for Juliet but when he needs help he is not afraid to ask.
Romeo also behaves hastily...