Essay on Romeo and Juliet

Submitted By mmmiller
Words: 1116
Pages: 5

Share The Blame In William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, there is a large conflict between two families which ultimately ends in a tragedy. As in most tragedies the blame cannot be put upon one person. The fault lies among several people for their involvement others lives. The Montague’s and Capulet’s had a large influence on their children’s lives by forcing their own feud onto them. Secondly, through a series of events that led up to Romeo and Juliet’s death their friends contributed to the tragedy. Lastly, the most obvious answer as to who is responsible for their death is themselves. Although they were the ones who literally ended their lives, it was as a result of influence from those around them. Blame can be spread amongst several, not pointed at one single person. Pride can blind people from doing what is best for others, rather than for themselves. The Montague’s as well as the Capulet’s took pride in their families and therefore refused to back down from the feud between the two families. The conflict between them had grown large and was being passed down to their children, furthermore the conflicts between them grew larger when their children fell in love, “Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight!/For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night” (159-160.v.I). They had been raised to believe that the opposite family was their enemy and that they were to hate them, “My only love sprung from my only hate!/Too early seen unknown, and known too late!/Prodigious birth of love it is to me,/That I must love a loathed enemy.” (152-155.v.I). The proposed marriage between Juliet and Paris was the turning point for the plot. It became urgent for Romeo and Juliet to be together before it was too late. As Juliet’s parents forced the marriage to Paris onto her, she began to protest, “I will not marry yet” (126.iv.III). However her parents were insistent, “Marry, my child, early next Thursday morn” (117.iv.III), and Juliet felt that there was no way that would be able to be with Romeo and abide by her parents wishes. Due to their inability to swallow their pride and forgive each other, the Capulet’s and the Montague’s forced their children flee their family in attempts to find happiness. There were a number of events which led up to the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, all of which can be perceived as causing the end result. Friends such as Friar Laurence, Mercutio and the Nurse could have attempted to prevent by acting in a different manner. Friar Laurence was asked to marry them without the permission of their parents, which he did willingly, “Come, come with me, and we will make short work;/For, by your leaves, you shall not stay alone/Till holy church incorporate two in one.” (35-37.vi.II) Secondly, it was the fault of Friar Laurence that Juliet took the potion. Juliet asked Friar Laurence for help in regards to her wedding, “Unless thou tell me how I may prevent it” (52.i.IV). It was a dangerous plan however he let Juliet who was young and naïve proceed with it none the less. “Thou hast the strength of will to slay thyself,/Then is it likely thou wilt undertake/A thing like death to chide away this shame,/That copest with death himself to scape from it:/And, if thou darest, I'll give thee remedy.” (73-77.i.IV). Mercutio and Tybalt also had a role to play in the death of Romeo and Juliet. The argument became heated between the two and eventually turned violent, “Will you pluck your sword out of his pitcher by the ears” (80.i.III). After Mercutio had been slain by Tybalt, Romeo took it upon himself to take revenge. “Now, Tybalt, take the villain back again,/That late thou gavest me; for Mercutio's soul/Is but a little way above our heads,/Staying for thine to keep him company:/Either thou, or I, or both, must go with him.”(130-134.i.III). The death of Tybalt caused Romeo to be exiled from Verona and therefore be separated from Juliet. Lastly, the nurse knew of what was going on between Romeo and Juliet however she did