The risk taking appetite varies from individual to individual. Do the Social, behavioural or circumstantial reasons influence voraciousness of risk takers? Yes, absolutely. In many circumstances, people take unnecessary risks and complete dare devilish stunts without thinking about the consequences associated with them. Similarly, in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, the characters Romeo and Juliet blindly make wrong decisions due to their love of each other. According to Drake Baer’s article, “How Happiness, Sun, Parachutes, And Other Things Make You Make Risky Decisions” about taking risks, people make risky decisions without contemplating the consequences. Both Shakespeare’s play and Baer’s research show that people take risks when they are extremely happy or in their heydays. The risk is undertaken without thinking about the aftermath for themselves and the people that love them.
Shakespeare’s work is an example of the research provided by Drake Baer’s article, on how moods, social surroundings, and stupidity make you take risks without thinking. In Bear’s article, he explains how teenagers and adults can make very risky decisions based on happiness levels. Risks can be taken when, “ ‘we are happy we take more risks, are more trusting, more generous,” (Baer). This explains that when people are happy they seem to favor the odds in their favor and make more risky decisions. Similarly, Shakespeare's play demonstrates this through the love of Romeo and Juliet. The two arise from two very different families that have a hatred for each other. Taking the risk of loving and marrying each other made them happy, so they gambled with their decisions which led to horrible consequences for both families. After the death of Mercutio and Tybalt, Benvolio states, “Tybalt, here slain, whom Romeo’s hand did slay,” (III.i.150). Their time of happiness ended with each family mourning a death; the Montagues lost Mercutio, while the Capulets lost Tybalt. Both text show the devastating outcomes of uncontemplated decisions based on happiness and forbidden love.
Shakespeare’s well known play Romeo and Juliet and Drake Baer’s article explain the consequences behind unplanned decisions. Using research from many scientists, Baer develops that teenagers make decisions based on unknown factors. Teenagers, “get lost in the details about specific risks and overly focused on possible rewards, while ignoring the overall ‘gist’ of the problem - i.e., the ultimate consequences,” (Baer). This quote states that teenagers do risky things without knowing the dangers behind it, all for the rewards and popularity. Shakespeare’s play acts out the unthought out choices that teenagers make. For example, Romeo and Juliet killed themselves, leaving all their family and friends devastated at the loss of two young and respected individuals. After the couple was found dead, “O, the people in the street cry ‘Romeo’, some ‘Juliet’, and some ‘Paris’; and all run with open outcry toward our monument,” (V.iii.191-193). This quote shows that the loss of Romeo and Juliet affected many people, so the teens should have contemplated the outcome and grief, instead of blindly following love.
To reiterate, both Shakespeare’s and Drake Baer’s texts exemplify that risks should not be taken without properly ensuring that the consequences won’t affect anyone negatively. Risky choices will always come back with the consequences associated with it. Extreme happiness and popularity should not trigger the risks takers insatiable palate, instead should channelize and harness the good things in life. People should always consider both sides of a decision or choice before urging a solution.