Causes of Suicide in Romeo and Juliet

When you think of William Shakespeare's play, *Romeo and Juliet*, words like love, passion, and tragedy probably pop into your head. It's the story of two young lovers who end up taking their own lives, and it's been capturing people's hearts for ages. But really, why do Romeo and Juliet kill themselves? This essay's going to dig into that question, looking at things like societal pressures, impulsive actions, and fate. By checking out these factors, we can get a better understanding of why they made such a drastic choice.

First off, let's talk about societal pressure. Romeo and Juliet live in Verona, where their families, the Montagues and Capulets, are sworn enemies. This feud makes their love a big no-no, almost like a betrayal to their families. The pressure to fit in with what society and their families expect is huge. Juliet even says, "Deny thy father and refuse thy name, / Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, / And I'll no longer be a Capulet" (2.2.33-35). She's basically begging to escape the heavy load of her family's expectations. This kind of pressure makes them think dying is the only way out, the only way they can be free together.

Then there's their impulsive behavior. Romeo and Juliet are young and super passionate, often acting without thinking things through. Look at how quickly Romeo decides to crash the Capulet party or how fast Juliet agrees to marry him. This kind of impulsiveness shows up big time at the end. When Romeo hears Juliet's "dead," he doesn't think twice—he buys poison to kill himself. And when Juliet wakes up and finds him dead, she doesn't hesitate either; she grabs his dagger and ends her life. Their quick decisions show just how intense their love is and how they can't see past their immediate pain. When Romeo shouts, "Then I defy you, stars!" (5.1.24), he's showing his impulsive nature and his refusal to accept anything but death. Their quick, rash actions highlight their struggles and lead them to believe suicide is the only escape.

And lastly, there's fate. Throughout the play, it feels like Romeo and Juliet's destiny is already written, like their tragic end is unavoidable. Romeo sees Juliet for the first time and says, "Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! / For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night" (1.5.52-53). It sounds like he thinks meeting Juliet was meant to be, which adds to the idea that their love and their end are out of their control. The play keeps bringing up fate, making it seem like Romeo and Juliet see their suicides as the only way to beat destiny. This belief in a pre-set fate pushes them toward their tragic end.

So, to wrap it up, the reasons behind Romeo and Juliet's suicides are complex. They're dealing with societal pressures, making impulsive decisions, and are influenced by fate. By looking at these things, we can see why they chose such a tragic ending. Their story is a warning about the dangers of societal expectations, rash actions, and believing too much in fate. It reminds us to think critically, be empathetic, and communicate when facing tough situations. Romeo and Juliet's sad end makes us think about our own lives and find better ways to deal with challenges, instead of turning to extreme measures.