Who is most to blame for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet?
Essay topic: Who is most to blame for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet? The tragic death of Romeo and Juliet can be amounted to the many factors and influences, however, it can be condensed to the feuding households of Capulets and Montagues, the good-hearted Friar Lawrence and the actions of the ‘star-cross’d lovers’. The ill-fated death of the young lovers is a consequence of the unfortunate events and circumstances created by these characters mentioned. The ‘ancient grudge’ between the Capulets and Montagues sets the foundation for unfortunate events that catapults their offspring to their ultimate demise.
The ‘pernicious rage’ between both households ‘alike in dignity’ has significant impact on the course of Romeo and Juliet’s lamentable love story. Most importantly, the existence of the quarrel presents a considerable impediment for Romeo and Juliet to ultimately ‘be together’ and enjoy their courtship. The ‘canker’d hate’ between old Capulet and Montague has being so saturated in Romeo and Juliet that from the get go, both conceal their relationship and take the‘faithful vow’ in surreptitiously. The quarrel has resulted in violence as an accepted part of life for the two and an acceptable way to resolve problems.
Romeo is forced to defend his family’s honour and his own by avenging the death of Mercutio resulting in the death of Tybalt although Romeo had indeed attempted to avoid any violence with the cousin of this dear wife leading to the banishment of Romeo to Mantua. The authoritative parenting causes Romeo and Juliet to irrational decisions as a means to solving their problems as they see no other way. Old Capulet and Lady Capulet in particular are much more forceful of their opinions on Juliet and expect her to uphold their wishes.
After the death of Tybalt, OId Capulet hastens his preparations for the marriage between the count and Juliet pushing Juliet over the edge leading her to disastrous and dangerous decisions to be with her ‘true love’. The actions of the Capulets and Montagues are accountable for the many events that lead to the tragic death of Romeo and Juliet. The benevolent Friar Lawrence creates many complications in the tale of Romeo and Juliet although his intentions are good-hearted. Although the Friar is ary of Romeo and Juliet’s relationship, he immediately agrees to be Romeos ‘assistant’ in hopes of turning their ‘household’s rancour to pure love’ and unites the lovers with a ‘faithful vow’. The friar not only disregards his ‘misgivings’ but also plays privy to the relationship and marriage of the ‘star-cross’d lovers’. The priest inadvertently feeds Romeo and Juliet irresponsible and extreme ideas and devises to ensure that their love will live on. When Juliet came to him with ‘wild looks’, Friar Lawrence suggests that Juliet take a sleeping potion before her ‘marriage’ to Count Paris and feign death until the arrival of her lord, Romeo.
This again necessitates the use of dishonesty for Juliet to her parents. When Romeo receives news the ‘death’ of his ‘true love’ he jumps to conclusions and purchases a vial of poison to take his own life with. Friar Lawrence was not prepared for this turn of events though he devised a plan that Romeo should ‘know our drift’ things did not occur so and Romeo takes his life. When Juliet awakens to find poison be Romeo’s ‘timeless end’ she too takes her life after the friar had unintentionally promoted and encouraged the hasty decisions of the two lovers.
Although the friar had kind-hearted intentions he was ‘miscarried’ and consequently was responsible for the bereavement of Romeo and Juliet. Romeo and Juliet’s own hasty and naive decisions contribute largely to their ‘untimely death’. Both Romeo and Juliet recognise the danger in their courtship when the come to the realisation that their love is ‘sprung from…only hate’ but continue to court each other in clandestine and still believe that they can associate with each other.
The resolution of marriage for Romeo and Juliet was one of hastiness and impulsiveness; the couple had known each other for but a few hours! Although Juliet feels that that their love was ‘too rash…too like lightening’ she still mentions marriage.. Romeo heeds no avail of the friar’s wise words to be ‘wisely and slow’ and agrees to exchange the ‘faithful vow’. The pair are an ‘hour but married’ and Romeo is ‘banish’d’ for slewing Tybalt, once again the young lovers rush to consummate their marriage before Romeo escapes to Mantua.
When Balthasar brings tidings of Juliet’s ‘death’, he also advises Romeo to ‘have patience’ but Romeo inflicted with desperation and self-pity, yet again pays no attention and hastens to the Capulets monument where he proceeds in taking his life swiftly although he had noticed that Juliet’s lips were ‘crimson’ still. The couple in their passionate throws and young naivety held no respect to the wise advice they were given by the friar nor did they take notice of their own suspicions of warning and ultimately their ‘untimely’ death can be attributed by their own actions and behaviours.
In conclusion, the grievous death of Romeo and Juliet is consequently the responsibility of not one lone character but various characters and events that took place. The ‘fury’ of the Capulets and Montagues, the naive Friar Lawrence and Romeo and Juliet themselves play key roles in the misfortunes that led to the fatality of not only Romeo and Juliet but Tybalt and Mercutio as well, ‘all are punish’d’.
