Moderation: Romeo and Juliet

Many authors choose to write stories that entertain their readers. Others write so that they can convey a message that has greater implications for the society we live in. William Shakespeare in his play Romeo and Juliet was able to do both. The play is the story of two teenagers who fall in love. The obstacle to this love is their feuding families. In the end, Romeo and Juliet choose to die so that they can remain together rather than live but exist apart. Shakespeare uses the theme, or central message of “In life, as in love affairs, moderation is the best policy” to demonstrate the tragic flaws of Romeo and Juliet. We can see the importance of this theme in Friar Lawrence’s advice to the lovers, and then in Romeo’s quick gesture to marry Juliet, also in Capulets rush to Juliet married to Paris.

Friar Lawrence informs Romeo and Juliet about the importance of moderation. When Romeo first comes to the Friar, he asks him to marry both he and Juliet, the girl he just met as quickly as possible. The Friar responds to Romeo’s haste by saying, “Wisely and slow; they stumble that run fast” (II.iii.94). Here the friar uses the act of running as a metaphor for this quick marriage. He says that those who move “wisely and slow” show moderation, and do not stumble and experience trouble. The next time he speaks on this theme is at the actual wedding ceremony, when Romeo boasts that death can do whatever it wants as long as he and Juliet are together. The Friar is appalled and responds with “these violent delights have violent ends, / And in their triumph die like fire and powder, /which as they kiss consume” (II.vi.9-11). Again the friar uses a metaphor, the shooting of canon, to compose to the loves. Their “violent delights” which is impulsive and behaviour, can be quickly “consumed”. Quick delights have minimal lasting effects. He wants them both to act and love, in moderation. As we see however, his excellent advice is not taken by Romeo and Juliet and their unmoderated actions lead to their down falls.

Romeo’s lack of moderation causes his every action to end in disaster. Romeo puts his life in danger for love. Romeo sneaks into the Capulet’s house knowing that if he gets caught, the Capulet guard will kill him, however he just says, “With love’s light wings did I o’erperch these walls; for stony limits cannot hold love out;/ therefore thy kinsmen are no let to me” (II.ii.66-69). Romeo wants to marry Juliet the day after they met. He goes to the Friar and says, “As mine to hers, so hers is set on mine;/ By holy marriage. When and where and how/ We met as we pass; but this I pray, that thou consent to marry us today” (II.iii.59-64). In this area of the play, it shows how eager and impatient Romeo is to get married, he wants to marry her today; which means Romeo has no time to think his decision through. Which leads to disaster with Paris in the future.

Capulet is quick to