The Consequences Of Brains In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

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Several actions in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet are caused by the characters having underdeveloped brains. The science behind teenagers’ actions is described is the article “The Teen Brain: Still Under Construction” published by The National Institute of Mental Health. Tennagers sometimes execute actions that seem dangerous and reckless to adults. But, this can be blamed on their brains. The article states, “The parts of the brain responsible for more ‘top-down’ control, controlling impulses, and planning ahead-the hallmarks of the adult behavior-are among the last to mature.” Teenagers make imprudent decisions because the part of the brain that helps them think rationally is not yet fully developed. One example of a rash decision in Romeo and Juliet is when Romeo proposes to Juliet (2.2.127). …show more content…
Romeo’s impulsive decision to propose to Juliet maintains the fact that teenagers’ brains are not fully developed. Another action in Romeo and Juliet that shows how adolescents make impetuous decisions because of their still incipient brains is when Juliet kills herself when she awakes from her potion-induced slumber, only to find Romeo dead beside her. She can’t imagine a life without him, albeit only meeting him four days prior. It is clear some characters in William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet make rash choices because the part of their brains that controls decision making is still developing until