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Romeo And Juliet Parental Failure

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An Exploration of Parental Failure Within Romeo & Juliet Derived from the potent lessons that one should learn throughout their childhood and adolescence from parental figures is the concept of a moral compass; when one lacks this sense of guidance it can dramatically affect their ability to form a sound sense of judgment which could expose them to unfavourable consequences. In William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the theme that when young people face a lack of parental guidance the effects can be detrimental to their futures is demonstrated comprehensively. The first reason for the tragic outcome of the play can be traced back to the selfishness of several supporting characters that bear significant roles in the coming of age of both Romeo …show more content…

. . The sweetest honey is loathsome in its own deliciousness,/ And in the taste confounds the appetite” (Shakespeare, II, vi, 9-13). Friar Laurence’s expression of insight for the pair’s relationship confirms that he is aware of the potentially fatal consequences that Romeo and Juliet would face once wedded, as he expresses that relationships that develop as impulsively as theirs will inevitably lead to a tragic demise. Furthermore, he overlooks the loss of life and remains confident in his decision to marry the two. Also displaying The Friar’s selfishness as he omits the teenagers’ death is his use of a metaphor when he compares Romeo and Juliet's love to the “sweetest honey”, which even in all of it’s goodness still bears many negative elements which will eventually destroy the love that they each possess. Nonetheless, Friar Laurence continues to encourage their eventually fatal decision to wed. Additionally, The Nurse fails Juliet as she behaves in a selfish manner when she values the respect of her superiors more than Juliet’s safety. The Nurse encourages Romeo and Juliet’s relationship, but a conflict between …show more content…

First of all, The Nurse supports Juliet throughout the majority of the play, but her unsound advice is a notable reason for the young lovers’ downfall. For instance, Juliet appreciates The Nurse’s help during the beginning of her and Romeo’s relationship, but what Juliet is blind to is the damage that The Nurse does as she unintentionally leads Juliet to her death when she says “Then hie you hence to Friar Laurence’ cell;/ There stays a husband to make you a wife” (Shakespeare, II, v, 68-69). In essence, the wedding that The Nurse encourages Romeo and Juliet to have reflects her negative influence on their relationship as Juliet is left increasingly vulnerable to Romeo’s impulsivity, which is an extremely relevant cause of Juliet’s eventual demise. Additionally, both Romeo and Juliet are significantly affected by the immature behavior of their kin. Specifically, Juliet displays her eradicated ability to form rational decisions when she speaks of the pressure her family puts on her as she says “My only love sprung from my only hate!/ Too early seen unknown, and known too late!/ Prodigious birth of love it is to me/ That I must love a loathed enemy” (Shakespeare, I, v, 138-141). This internal conflict that arises when Juliet discovers that Romeo is a Montague is of significance

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