Essay On The Deaths Of Romeo And Juliet

Audrey Renaud

Mrs.Azar

ENG 1D02

May 1st, 2023.

An Unnecessary Tragedy: Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet

“It’s not the tragedies that kill us; it’s the messes.” - Dorothy Parker. Tragedies throughout time and literature occur for many reasons. Often, terrible events, such as a character's death are the result of many contributing factors. Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is a tragic love story that ends in the death of its main characters. These once-sworn enemies fall for each other leading them on an emotional, but fatal, journey. This tragedy did not simply occur because of one person or one single event but rather a combination of circumstances and interactions. The deaths of Romeo and Juliet are caused by a family feud, the involvement of

The ongoing feud has led to a series of unnecessary deaths and enemies made between their children. For instance, Mercutio recites these prophetic lines before his death, “A plague o'both your houses!” (3.1. 101-104). He blames both families for his death as their hatred for each other has developed into more intense and fatal outcomes. The family feud also sets up key events that change the course of the story. The Capulets force Juliet to marry Paris threatening that she will be banished if she refuses. This sudden change leads Juliet to Friar's cell where she confesses, “Be not so long to speak, I long to die” (4.1. 66). The very idea of having to marry Paris and not Romeo leads her to thoughts of suicide. The Capulet's decision ultimately brings their daughter to her tomb where she and Romeo's tragic death takes place. In the end, Prince Escalus passes the final judgment after having received all the facts and evidence from Friar Lawrence. Prince Escalus

After only meeting a few hours ago, both Romeo and Juliet are willing to give up their lives and family names for each other. Romeo claims “Call me but love, and I'll be new baptis’d; henceforth I will never be Romeo” (2.2. 50-51). Their feelings for each other are still so new, yet they make this passionate and impulsive decision to get married, setting up the rest of the story and their tragic outcome. Almost directly after the wedding, Romeo kills Tybalt. His grief and anger from Mercutio's death leads him to kill Tybalt without thinking of the severe