Passion Without Reason

A detailed Summary of Passion Without Reason

The play "Romeo and Juliet" takes place over a very short span of time. Absolute bliss and abject despair are in constant competition, often violently or radically replacing one another. The characters are trapped in a whirlwind of events dictated by Romeo's brash nature as well as a pervasive rush that finish in the double suicide of Romeo and Juliet. From the first scene's spark of unreasonable violence follow Tybalt's heated hatred, Romeo and Juliet's instant love and its irony, the deaths of Mercutio and Tybalt and Romeo's banishment. Juliet's forced marriage and expulsion from her house, her dangerous plan, Romeo's ignorant reaction and the deaths of the lovers and Paris form the final, tragic cascade. Swift, passionate action, most often inspired or initiated by Romeo, is a major factor in the development of all the play's significant shifts, inevitably concluding in tragedy. In William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," speed and lack of moderation both play important roles in the outcome of the play.

The first scene of the play sets the tone dramatically, displaying a battle of passion between soldiers of the Capulets and Montagues, two feuding families. The feud itself is presented as meaningless

In the fifth scene of the first act, Capulet throws a fateful party in which two major events occur. Firstly, Tybalt sees Romeo and is offended by the presence of a member of the rival Montagues. Capulet humiliates his servant, patronizing Tybalt's brazen wish to defy social rules and challenge a guest. Tybalt is also a child of the feuding families, and while the elders can now realize the attractions of peace, he knows only how to war. He takes his humiliation poorly, and is wounded to his core. He leaves foreseeing his own future saying "[Romeo's] intrusion shall/ Now seeming sweet convert to bitter gall". (I.iv.91-92) He is now set on a fatal course, hating Romeo for inspiring this outrage so quickly and completely that he eventually takes a coward's route in order to quench his thirst for revenge. This is a perfect example of reasonless passion overruling self- interest, as well as the quick pace at which grave decisions are made. Tybalt's blood feud represents the play's major shift towards tragedy.

Tragedy ensues immediately following the marriage, sorrow rearing its head in the face of happiness once more. Tybalt taunts and provokes Romeo, who tells his enemy that for reasons unknown they should not be fighting. Mercutio, Romeo's friend, advisor, bodyguard, and fellow member of the Montague clan cannot understand Romeo's cowardice without the benefit of knowing of Romeo's secret marriage, and steps in to accept Tybalt's challenge. Romeo, acting in out of his conflicting interests, tries to step between the two combatants, but just as Romeo cannot balance his fam

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1067
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English