Death In Romeo And Juliet

In the infamous tragedy of the play ‘Romeo and Juliet’ by William Shakespeare, the theme and influence of death are poignantly prevalent through the course of the play. The use of death in ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is portrayed through three instances of the deaths of four major characters, Romeo, Juliet, Mercutio and Tybalt, in which the context of each death, are relative to the cause and development of their demise. Shakespeare capitalizes on the sophistication and complexity of death along with its varying impacts in relation to the context in which guides their tragedies. Through their deaths, Romeo and Juliet perfectly exemplify the extreme degrees of sacrifice which they are determined to commit to for their love. The death of Romeo is

The death of Mercutio was unexpected as compared to the heavily foreshadowed death of Romeo. In addition, the scene Mercutio’s death also exhibited forms of foreshadowing as Mercutio cursed the families of Montague and Capulet, “ A plague a’both houses.” Act 3, scene 1, ( Line 94 - 95). The blame of Mercutio’s death lied heavily on Romeo’s shoulders as Tybalt’s outrage and intent were towards Romeo and his actions causing the deaths of Mercutio to be unfortunate and simply tragic. “What, art thou hurt?” - Benvolio, Act 3, Scene 1, ( Line 88) // “ Ay, ay, a scratch, a scratch; marry, ‘tis enough.” - Mercutio, Act 3, Scene 1, ( Line 89). In his final moments before his death, Mercutio refuses to accept that he his fatally wounded and deflects any doubt and question towards his well being and continuing to be his witty self, whereas in Romeo’s final moments before his death, he was in full acceptance of his death. Mercutio’s death differs from Romeo’s death as the impact of Mercutio’s unforeseen murder transforms and transcends the mood of the play whereas Romeo’s death affirms

The outrage led to the confrontation between Romeo and Tybalt in which Romeo proved triumph in vengeance of Mercutio's death. “Either thou or I, or both, must go with him (Mercutio)” - Romeo, Act 3, Scene 1, ( Line 125). The foreshadowed death of Tybalt was easily anticipated and predicted by the audience through the build up of relative context of the death of Mercutio. Tybalt and Mercutio’s death are alike in the impetuousness of their deaths, both due to the impulsiveness of Romeo’s actions. Mercutio’s death was the result of Romeo rushing in between the battle between Mercutio and Tybalt, in which he restricted Mercutio’s from reacting to Tybalt’s killing blow. “ Why the dev’l came you between us! I was hurt under your arm.” - Mercutio, Act 3, Scene 1, (Line 98 - 99). The death of Tybalt and Mercutio embroiled Romeo into the core of the rivalry between the Montague and Capulet households thus leading to the further division and severance of their relationships and in addition, invigorating their resentment towards each household. Therefore, the deaths of Tybalt and Mercutio are directly linked to