The Power of Circumstance in the Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet Essay Example

incapable of handling and have limited actions to choose from, resulting in their tragic end.

In addition, the law and society they inhabit create circumstances that victimize Romeo and Juliet. The generations old conflict between the Capulets and the Montagues creates a lasting enmity between the two families. Therefore, the love between Romeo and Juliet must remain hidden in fear of a violent rejection of their union. Following the initial conflict in the streets of Verona, the Prince expressly bans all fighting, declaring: “If ever you disturb our streets again/ Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace” (1. 1. 90-91).

Romeo’s exile follows the deaths of both Mercutio and Tybalt, resulting in Romeo’s ignorance of the plan that Friar Lawrence and Juliet concoct, thus ending the lives of both Romeo and Juliet. The Prince’s word is the law in Verona and law is a fundamental part of society. In a society like Verona’s, the lord of the household gives orders that cannot be disputed. When Capulet declares, “I tell thee what: get thee to church a’Thursday/ Or never after look me in the face/ Speak not, reply not, do not answer me! ” (3. 5. 161-163), he demonstrates that he expects Juliet to comply with his wish since he is the lord of the household.

Therefore, Capulet expects Juliet to wed Paris regardless of her desires. Consequently, Juliet’s desperate endeavour to escape her fate causes the deaths of Romeo, Count Paris, and herself. The expectations of society and its law create circumstances that worsen the situation for Romeo and Juliet by thrusting them into increasingly troublesome situations that they are

incapable of managing. Lastly, Romeo and Juliet are victims of fate itself. When seeking vengeance for his late friend Mercutio, Romeo accidently slaughters Tybalt, resulting in Romeo`s imminent exile preceding the tragedy.

As Friar John travels to Mantua to deliver important letters regarding Juliet and Friar Lawrence’s plan to Romeo, he encounters a town where “the infectious pestilence did reign” (5. 2. 10), and cannot deliver the letters to Romeo. Simultaneously, Balthasar, convinced that Juliet truly perishes, reports to Romeo, “Her body sleeps in Capels’ monument” (5. 1. 18). Subsequently, Romeo rushes to Verona where the tragedy ensues. These unpredictable events fabricate situations that neither Romeo nor Juliet are prepared for and correspondingly, they become the victims of a tragic end.

Being in situations they cannot manage, Romeo and Juliet are forced to choose ineffective decisions out of the limited options that are available to them in the occurrences they lie in, resulting in their demise. The actions of other characters and the expectations of society, as well as fate, create occurrences causing Romeo and Juliet to make rash, difficult choices. Therefore, Romeo and Juliet are not responsible for the tragedy that befalls them, but are merely pawns of circumstance. Ergo, the tragedy of this famous love story is the result of circumstance interfering with the lives of two adolescents.