Lefkowitz 1

Tallulah Lefkowitz
OConnor
Honors English
27 May 2016
The Risks of Risks
In the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, risk taking is a substantive
thematic element. From start to finish, the plot and story progression is driven by the different
risks that the characters take. Some of these risks had positive outcomes, and some did not,
leading to death, misery, and guilt. Ultimately, the chances that were taken caused the loverss
demise. Shakespeare communicates a message to the reader that some risks just arent worth
taking. One must weigh and come to terms with all consequences before acting on something
uncertain.
In Act I, Scene IV, Romeo, Benvolio, and Mercutio hear of a party at the Capulets house.
Mercutio, wanting to cheer Romeo up and distract him from his lovesickness, decides that they
must attend. This is a precarious chance they are taking, as anything could happen at this
masquerade ball. If it were to be somehow revealed that they were Montagues, things could turn
bad very quickly. Despite the risk, Romeo, Mercutio, and Benvolio go to the party. When they
arrive, Romeo sees Juliet, Capulets daughter, and becomes completely infatuated with her
beauty. Juliet, though slightly more hesitant, falls just as much for Romeo as he falls for her.
Later that night, Romeo ventures to Juliets house to speak to her and ask for her hand in
marriage. If Romeo were to be caught, he would very likely be killed. Juliet expresses her
disapproval of this dangerous chance he took: The orchard walls are hard to climb, And the
place death, considering who thou art, If any of my kinsmen find thee here (Act II Scene ii 63-

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65). Juliet is very much aware of the risk, but is blinded by her own love for Romeo. Romeo also
did not see the precariousness in his decision, and could only think of his need of Juliet. The next
morning, the two are married in secret by Friar Lawrence, who believes that their unity might be
the only remedy for the hatred that keeps their families apart. This is the around the point in the
play when the risks they take begin having more negative outcomes. In the beginning, the payoff
of the chances outweighed the risk, as Romeo and Juliet met at the party, and later got to speak to
each other and confess their love. When Friar Lawrence marries them, however, things stop
working out so well.
Though many of the impromptu decisions made had positive outcomes, much of the
death and despair could have been prevented if the characters had been reasonable with the risks.
Juliet, burdened with Romeos banishment and her forced wedding with Paris, devises a plan
with Friar Lawrence to get Romeo back and escape her looming wedding. She drank a potion
that put her into a long, death-like sleep. When her maid found her in the morning, she believed
she had died from the sadness of losing her cousin, Tybalt. Friar Lawrence gave a letter
explaining Juliets contrived death to Friar John, who was supposed to deliver it promptly to
Romeo. It was not communicated to Friar John how crucial it was that the letter was delivered:
Unhappy fortune! By my brotherhood, The letter was not nice, but full of charge, Of dear
import; and the neglecting it May do much danger (Act V Scene iii 17-20). The delivery of this
letter was a risk that should have only been taken by Friar Lawrence, to ensure that the letter
made it to Romeo in time. When Man tells Romeo of Juliets death, neither are aware that it is
fake: Is it een so? Then I defy you, stars! Thou knowest my lodging. Get me ink and paper And
hire post horses. I will hence tonight (Act V Scene ii 24-26). The risky plan devised by Juliet
and Friar Lawrence ended up completely backfiring because of one slight miscommunication.

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When Romeo arrives at Juliets tomb, be kills Paris, and, realizing his fate lies only with Juliet,
himself. Juliet subsequently wakes up from her sleep, and upon seeing Romeo dead, kills herself.
It can be debated whether their love was ever even a risk worth taking, as there was very little
ways it could have worked out well. That said, the death of their children was the only thing that
could have mended the hatred between the Capulets and Montagues.
In the end, the risks that were taken caused extreme pain, suffering, and misery to both
families. Even so, Romeo and Juliet may never have found fulfillment in their lives without each
other. Love is often a risk, as hatred does anything it can to prevent it. Nothing could keep
Romeo and Juliet apart except death, embodying the true meaning of the adage till death do us
part. Shakespeare tries to communicate to the audience that risks, although they carry weight,
are often necessary. Life would be completely and utterly boring without the everyday chances
one takes.