Coming from opposing households in a longstanding feud to inseparable lovers, Romeo and Juliet had found love at first sight when they met. But unfortunately they also met an untimely death. With many people playing a role in the deaths of the star-crossed lovers, the only thing left standing is the question of who’s to blame. This paper will examine Friar Lawrence, Tybalt, and the head of the Capulet and Montagues as the people most responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet, in William Shakespeare’s classic play.
First, let us begin to analyze Friar Lawrence and break down his role. We can see that Lawrence plays a significant role in the tragic events that unfold. He is a close friend to Romeo and Juliet and serves as a confidant
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To fully understand why the blame is to be placed on the two families we have to look into their pasts and look at those that sit at the top. The feud between the Montagues and Capulets is a longstanding grudge that has been passed down through generations. It is a feud that is rooted in pride and a refusal to back down. Both families are equally guilty of perpetuating the feud, but the parents, specifically Lord and Lady Montague and Lord and Lady Capulet, are the ones who are in a position of power and should have been able to put a stop to it. They are the ones who could have ended the feud, but instead, they choose to continue it, further adding responsibility and blame to them for the deaths of their own children. This is because had the feud ended Romeo and Juliet would have not been barred from seeing and marrying each other. Additionally, Tybalt and Mercutio’s deaths could have also been avoided had there not been a clash between the two powerful families, the main reason Tybalt was so aggressive towards Romeo and was opposed to him marrying Juliet was due to the fact he was from the opposite family. Friar Lawrence would not have had to marry them in secret or devise such a extreme plan if they families were not at