Decisions affect everyone and everything in the world and every decision has a

consequence. In Romeo and Juliet, Romeos and Juliets condition are the result of a huge
amount of bad decisions. This is shown in the marriage, Juliets fake death, Tybalt and
Mercutios fight, and the graveyard scene.

In Romeo and Juliet, characterization is important because if a characters personality is

known then how this/that/the character will react in a situation can be predicted. Shakespeare
used characterization in Romeo and Juliet to make the peoples personalities fit their role in the
play to make the work seem more realistic and believable. An example of this is Tybalt: This,
by his voice, should be a montague. Fetch me my rapier, boy. What, dares the slave Come hither,
covered with an antic face, To fleer and scorn our solemnity? Now, by the stock and honor of my
kin, To strike him dead I hold it not a sin (Shakespeare 1014). This shed light on Tybalts fiery,
angry personality so that it isnt a surprise when he picks a fight with Romeo or when he kills
Mercutio.

William Shakespeare uses figurative language throughout Romeo and Juliet. One of the
most famous scenes of the play, (Act 2, Scene 2) almost entirely figurative language. An example
of figurative language in this scene is, But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is
the East, and Juliet is the sun! Arise, fair sun, and kill the moon, Who is already sick and pale
with grief That thou her maid art far more fair than she (Shakespeare, 1023). Almost this entire
excerpt is figurative language. In this quote, Romeo is saying Juliet is the sun and he wants her
to come out and make everyone envious of her looks because she is so beautiful. This is
figurative language because Romeo is using a metaphor, saying Juliet is a sun. Shakespeare uses

figurative language in Romeo and Juliet to set the mood of the moment or the current emotions
felt by the characters.

In Romeo and Juliet, Friar Laurence made many bad decisions that negatively affected
the outcome of Romeo and Juliet. Firstly, the friar knew about how quickly Romeo fell in love,
Holy Saint Francis! What a change is here! Is Rosaline that thou didst love so dear, So soon
forsaken (Shakespeare 1031)? The friar had discovered that Romeo was quick to fall in love so
he knew he was hasty, yet he allowed Romeo and Juliet marry for the greater good. In one
respect Ill thy assistant be; For this alliance may so happy prove To turn your households rancor
to pure love (Shakespeare 1031). The friar was so determined to try and fix this issue that his
judgement was clouded so that he didnt think about the consequences of marrying the two
children who had just met and whose families were locked in a feud with each other. But this
wasnt the only bad decision made in Romeo and Juliet.

The next bad decision was made by Mercutio and Tybalt when they fought in the square.
The fight should not have occurred in the first place. Mercutio: O calm, dishonorable, vile
submission! Alla stoccata carries it away (Draws) Tybalt, you rat catcher, will you walk? Tybalt:
What wouldst thou have with me (Shakespeare 1046). In this scene, Mercutio antagonizes
Tybalt into fighting, even though they were not in a feud with each other. It was a bad decision
because it led to Tybalt killing Mercutio and then Romeo in turn killing Tybalt, which caused
Romeo to be banished. Even after this episode more bad decisions were made in Romeo and
Juliet.

One of the last bad decisions made in Romeo and Juliet was when Juliet fakes her
death. After Romeo was banished, Juliet was distraught and Friar Laurence, a known poor
decision maker, created a plan to reunite Romeo and Juliet. His plan was to have Juliet drink a
potion that would make make her seem deceased and after her burial, she would wake up and
Romeo would meet her there and they would escape together. Take thou this vial, being then in
bed, And this distilled liquor drink thou off; When presently through all thy veins shall run A
cold and drowsy humor; for no pulse Shall keep his native progress, but surcease; No warmth, no
breath, shall testify thou livest; (Shakespeare 1075). This was a bad decision because it was so
rushed, if they had wanted to carry out the plan then they should have waited until Romeo had
responded. Even if Juliet had to marry Paris, they could probably null the marriage if Friar
Laurence admitted to marrying them. Since they did not wait for Romeos response he believed
that Juliet was dead and this led to his suicide.

The last bad decisions made in Romeo and Juliet was when Paris and Romeo fought in
the graveyard. In the scene Romeo comes to Juliets grave so the he could die next to her, but
Paris is also there, to bring flowers to Juliets grave and he sees Romeo and misinterprets the
situation. Romeo: Good gentle youth, tempt not a desperate man. Fly hence and leave me.
Think upon those gone; Let them affright thee. I beseech thee, youth, Put not another sin on my
headParis: I defy thy conjuration and apprehend thee for a felon here (Shakespeare 1093).
This was another avoidable fight that was not avoided and led to more death. This fight probably
also gave Romeo another reason to use the poison to commit suicide.

As is now obvious decisions made can affect anyone and everyone and every decision
has its own consequence, either positive or negative. This was shown in Romeo and Juliet's

marriage, the fight between Mercutio and Tybalt, Juliets faked death, and the fight between
Romeo and Paris in the graveyard. All of this decisions led to the death of Romeo and Juliet and
thus caused it to be called a tragedy.