Human Error In Romeo And Juliet

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The tragedy of Romeo and Juliet written by William Shakespeare tells the story of two young lovers torn apart by their families, Capulet and Montague, rivalry. Though the characters of Romeo and Juliet credit their strife to fate, the tragedy is a result of human error. The lovers marry in secret however, Juliet’s father Lord capulet, unknowingly promises her hand to another. Further, Romeo brawls with a Capulet which is punishable by death due to miscommunication. Last, after Romeo is banished to Mantua the Friar Lawrence who aids Romeo and Juliet throughout the story mistakenly changes his plans to communicate with Romeo, causing confusion over Juliet's death which leads to the suicide of both the youths. To begin, a duel between the rival families leads to unexpected deaths which is the direct result of human …show more content…

In a brawl between Tybalt, the nephew of Lord Capulet, and Mercutio, a close friend of Romeo, Tybalt unexpectedly kills Mercutio. Romeo, newly married, tries to regard his new cousin tybalt with love and respect and then refuses to fight him. Tybalt takes these curtises as taunting causing Mercutio’s involvement with the duel. Shortly before the attack, Romeo explained to Tybalt, “I do protest I never injured thee/ But love thee better than thou canst devise” (3.1.69-71). Romeo tries to explain his love for tybalt was that of family by marriage because of his new wife Juliet. Consequently, Tybalt thinks Romeo is mocking him further after Romeo’s mistake of crashing a Capulet party earlier in the plot. If Romeo and Juliet did not keep their marriage a secret the families might have accepted their love. Additionally, Romeo could have avoided referencing his love his Tybalt when he knew Tybalt was waiting to duel with him. Once Mercutio steps in for Romeo and begins to fight Tybalt, Romeo attempts to break it up with the help of another friend Benvolio (3.1.87). What looks like a solution to the altercation to Romeo