Why Is Romeo and Juliet a Tragedy?

Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy because it is the story of two young lovers who are forced to be apart by the feud between their families. In the play Romeo and Juliet, written by William Shakespeare, there are many aspects that make this story a tragedy. One of these reasons is that Romeo and Juliet are separated by their families’ hatred for each other. The first time we see this in action is when Romeo visits his friend Benvolio after he sees Juliet at the Capulet’s party. Benvolio tells him that she’s already married to Paris: “I pray thee leave me; I am not in a merry disposition”. Later in the play, when Romeo sees Juliet again at her family’s masque, she tells him that he cannot marry her because she has already pledged herself to Paris: “My only love sprung from my only hate! Too early seen unknown too late beloved”. As you can see from these examples, these two young lovers are forced apart by their families’ hatred for each other – which is one reason why this play is such a tragedy!