Who was to blame for the death of Romeo and Juliet? Essay Example
Who was to blame for the death of Romeo and Juliet? Essay Example

Who was to blame for the death of Romeo and Juliet? Essay Example

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Romeo and Juliet a tragic love story. The story of the star crossed lovers. Nevertheless, from reading the text it becomes evident that there were more factors associated with the play than just tragedy. Firstly, the setting of the play is in Verona, Italy. Were all political decisions are made by one person. Also there is the idea that the passionate love between Romeo and Juliet, is over shadowed by the hatred between the Capulet family and Montague family alike. Although this feud has a big bearing towards the outcome of the play the events which lead to the death of the lovers can be grouped into several categories these being Love, chance, individuals, coincidence, and finally passion.

When looking at the characters, which played apart towards the death of the lovers and could be bran

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ded as responsible. Tybalts fiery and volatile character comes into mind.

Firstly, his actions and language throughout the play suggest that he is not rational and never once looks to amend any kind of peace between the families. It is fair to say that he is out to be destructive and has no intentions of increasing or restoring any peace and in the play, he says

"I hate all Montagues"

This is a clear-cut image of what Tybalt is like and suggests his fiery temperament.

The next character that has a large bearing on the outcome of the play is Mercutio. He also is a very aggressive person both in the book and in video. Tybalts feud with Mercutio eventually ended in his death, on hearing of Mercutios death it gave Romeo more of an incentive to kill Tybalt. In this case, it seems tha

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if Mercutio had not got involved with Tybalt perhaps Romeo may have not killed Tybalt. It is important to mention other people that did influence the death of the lovers but perhaps they did not realize that their actions at the time would lead to the deaths of two important people.

One individual who knew all the events, can, and may feel some guilt is Friar Lawrence

He throughout the book knew of the relationship between Romeo and Juliet, he knew that the families the lovers came from was the family that had, had several family disputes in the past. He of cause married the couples, knowing about the complications he went on regardless. This incident was to prove vital

However in the end, the relationship was always going to be a disaster and the couples knew this but true love and lust stopped the couple from burying this relationship. The lack of maturity they showed lead to their deaths. The feud between the families in the end proved too much. Also neither of the couple had any person they could confide in. This meant that the couple blatantly carried on in the relationship without any members of the family knowing.

Events that affected the outcome of the story were, the celebration held at the Capulet mansion. Romeo cannot control his feelings and spots Juliet "a lady in waiting" the original reason for being at this celebration is because he is making peace with Rosaline, but he does not attempt to talk to her. Instead cannot keep his eyes from this young girl. Tybalt however has second ideas. He tries to retaliate during the celebration, but is prevented by

Lord Capulet, who in turn tell him not to cause any trouble. He ignores this advice. After the celebration though Tybalt ignores this advice and seeks to find Romeo. Mercutio is with Romeo and provides tough opposition to Tybalt. However, Tybalt does not want to fight Mercutio and instead wants words with Romeo. Romeo is reluctant to fight. This incident does not have substantial bearing on the play, but does affect the total outcome. Romeo's relationship with Juliet affects his friendship with Mercutio it declines because of his passionate but disastrous love affair with Juliet.

I feel that Friar Lawrence has to be examined more closley. His actions at times are very extraordinary to say the least. Not only does he know about the secret love affair he also knows about the family background and lack of peace behind it. However, he comes up with the catastrophic idea. Totally unaware of the consequences. He provided the lethal drug, which in the end took Juliet's life. In addition, he could not handle the guilt on hearing that Juliet had passed away. He escaped and fled the scene.

In my final evaluation, I will aim to look at this play at several different angles and my conclusion will be very forceful into discovering who is responsible. Not one individual is totally responsible. But the blame should, and will be shared between all individuals. The play from the start was always destined to be tragic. It is the way the play is remembered. Romeo and Juliet- "The classic love story". I find several events very ironic and there is hint that these events could be classified as mis-fortunate. One in

particular was when Romeo did not receive the telegram. This caused a large confusion and it is inevitable what was going to happen after this event.

Not one individual can be held responsible for this tragedy but all the characters come under the spotlight more than others do, the nurse did not advise Juliet to the best of her ability. When the relationship had started the nurse told Romeo that Juliet felt the same. Yet, when Romeo was banished and the couples were married, the nurse dramatically changed her view. She said that Juliet should marry Paris. Juliet had now been let down by someone who was very close to her, Juliet was now very confused. I have said from the start that the relationship should have ended at the Capulet mansion. Individuals in the play have motives for there actions, Friar Lawrence used love to bring to people together. Tybalt was protecting his family name and pride. Mercutio was also playing a protective role towards Romeo.

The nurse felt that she was helping Juliet but all she did was give Juliet hassle that she could not cope with. In addition, she wrongly advised Juliet. If the lovers had been honest about their relationship perhaps, the outcome may have been different. If the end it can be said, individuals in the end pushed the couples over the edge. However, in the end the blame boils down to the two lovers. The lack of maturity shown by the lovers led to their deaths, the couple were left and isolated from both parents so they could not turn to any body. In the end both families were left, to

see the damage their feud had caused. One question that will be left unanswered is, did any of the individuals realize the significance of their actions?

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