Essay | Impetuosity of Youth in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

Through the characters in Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare illustrates the negative affects associated with the impetuosity of youth. The impetuosity of youth is illustrated through the characters of Mercutio and Tybalt, as well as the relationship between Romeo and Juliet.

Mercutio is a very hot headed individual whose impulsive behaviour resulted in a negative outcome. Mercutio's impetuous actions and rash-decision making resulted in his own death as well as the death of Tybalt. Mercutio's "soon moved to be moody" personality, is one reason why he chose to fight Tybalt. If Mercutio had stopped and thought about the affects that his actions would have on himself, as well as others, he would have made a better decision. Instead, Mercutio chooses to focus on the immediate outcome of his actions, which in this case is to kill Tybalt, rather than considering what affect his actions may have...
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