Name: ________________________________

Using William Shakespeare’s play ​The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet​, choose one character and analyze
his/her actions and motivations. What motivates him/her to make certain choices? How do his/her choices
complicate the plot?

Juliet and Romeo first met at each other at a Masquerade ball. They knew that they love each other

from the first time they met. But unfortunately the two were not allowed to date each other due to there past

family feud. But there love for each other was to strong for them to be apart so they snuck around to see each

other. After much sneaking around they decided to go against their family and get married. They had a plan to

be with each other but because of certain events they never got that. They never got their happily ever after

because of their actions and their motivations. Juliet mainly made some bad decisions that complicated the

plot. She made the decision to drink the poison. She also decided no to listen to her parents.

Juliet made the decision of drinking the potion that was made by Friar Lawrence, due to this Romeo

and Juliet both ended up dead. According to The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet Juliet making the decision to

drink the potion complicated things as it stated “Here’s to my love! O true apothecary! Thy drugs are quick.

Thus with a kiss I die” (Lines 119-120). This is stating that since Romeo thought that Juliet was dead, he

decided to kill himself because he couldn't live without her. So therefore, if Juliet wouldn’t have drunk the

potion to make her look dead, then romeo would still be alive. Juliet's decision to drink the poison complicated

the plot by the ending result of both Romeo and Juliets being dead, and not getting there happy ever after.

Another decision Juliet made was to marry Romeo. Although she could have listened to her parents as

The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet states “Marry, that “marry” is the very theme I came to talk of. Tell me,

daughter Juliet, How stands your disposition to be married” (Lines 64-66). If Lady Capulet (Juliet’s mother)

would have never even brought up the conversation of love, then Juliet would have never been motivated to

get married. Her mother also repetitively brought up a young man named Paris as it states “Speak briefly, can

you like of Paris’ love” (Line 97). Juliet’s mother thought that Paris would be a good and safe man for her

although Juliet made the decision to not listen to Lady Capulet. Her decisions to not listen to her parents ended

up to have a negative effect on the plot.

 In conclusion, Juliet’s decisions throughout the play had affected the plot and complicated it, especially

her decision to drink the poison. And her decision to not listening to her parents. Although many people would

say that Juliet’s decisions had no effects on the plot. If Juliet had never made some of the decisions she made,

then both Romeo and Juliet would have their happy ever after.