The tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is one of the most dramatic and influential love stories of all time. The play, written by William Shakespeare in the late sixteenth century tells the anguishing tale of ‘star-crossed lovers’ taking their lives to be together in death. This essay will discuss three points that I believe to be partly a cause of their deaths. Was it the prolonged feud that caused them to die? Was Friar Lawrence at fault, or could it have been merely fate? I will discuss these topics in detail and evaluate what I think was to blame for their tragic deaths.
The first point I am going to discuss is whether the family feud was to blame. The Capulets and the Montagues, two families of the famous conflict in fair Verona. This was inevitably a part of their difficulties, but was it the only factor at fault? In the prologue at the start of the play, it tells how the ‘ancient grudge broke into new mutiny as the deaths of Tybalt (Juliet’s cousin), and Mercutio (Romeo’s best friend) sparked new conflict between the rival families.
As this strife surrounded their lives, Romeo and Juliet tried to keep it from breaking their strong love but it was intensely arduous. Act 1, prologue line 8, ‘Doth with their death bury their parents’ strife’. This is yet another symbolic quote from the introduction of the play. It shows how their love, whether in life or in death was trying to end the conflict by showing how enemies can become comrades.
The second point I am going to discuss is fate. This played a big part in the play, as it was common for people to believe that their destiny had been set out for them. “A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life’, this famous quote from the prologue line 6 tells how they were born under opposing stars and their families had been enemies from the beginning. Many believe this was to blame for their deaths but if they had been born enemies, why were they now lovers? Both ‘star-crossed lovers’ and line 9, ‘death marked love’ seem to say that their lives were set to end in a fatal disaster.
“Dido a dowdy, Cleopatra a gypsy, Helen and Hero hidings and harlots, Thisbe a grey eye or so, but not to the purpose.” This quote from Act 2 scene 4 mentions women who had a tragic ending to their life, or had to meet with their lover in secluded circumstances, similar to that of Juliet. In this section of the play, Shakespeare compares Juliet to these women as if he is already suggesting that their passion will end in disaster.
Act 3 scene 1 is a very moving scene as Mercutio is slain by Tybalt. Some of his last words spoken were “Help me into some house Benvolio or I shall faint. A plague on both your houses.” Mercutio curses the Capulets and the Montagues for their fighting. All these quotes indicate how strongly fate plays a part in people’s tragic lives.
The third and final point I am going to deliberate is whether the Friar was at fault. Although he married them in secret, and planned the dangerous plot that was to bring Romeo and Juliet together after Romeo’s banishment, he always made sure he was not found for his actions.
When Romeo told Friar Lawrence about his rendezvous with Juliet, although he was fearful, he married them with comfort. This may have been the mistake that caused them to become inseparable but, although it was taboo, if they wished to be married, Friar Lawrence was licensed to marry them. Act 4 scene 4 line 30; Juliet says, “How if, when I am laid into the tomb, I wake before the time that Romeo come to redeem me? There’s a fearful point! Shall I not then be stifled in the vault.” Here Shakespeare clarifies how worried Juliet was about the plan. Shakespeare is giving hints that something may go wrong but he shows this through Juliet, as she is the main element in this risky plot.
In this essay I have mentioned three points which I consider to have played a part in the tragic deaths of Romeo and Juliet. Many people have thought of different reasons for their deaths, but I conclude that it was the family feuding to blame. Although many presume it was fate, I do not believe that your future is already chosen for you. As for Friar Lawrence, although he ensured nobody discovered anything about his actions, he didn’t cause any distress or grief.
