Romeo and Juliet is a play written by William Shakespeare, it is considered one of the most iconic and devastating tales in Elizabethan literature. The play tells the story of a young couple who fall in love but are from rival households and they both sacrifice their lives for one another. However, the tragic events that occur are often assigned to the impulsivity of the young lovers. Although, as we dive deeper into the tale, it becomes clear that our dear pharmacist, called the “Apothecary” plays a role in the tragic end of the young couple. Therefore, as we examine the Apothecary's aspirations, it later becomes evident that he is not just a passive observer, but rather an essential contributor. Additionally, the Apothecary is at fault for …show more content…
But it is against the law to sell them in Mantua, and the penalty is death” (Shakespeare 5.1). 68-89). Through these lines, we could evidently see that the Apothecary is not a cautious pharmacist who does not focus on the health of his patients. However, he is aware of the rules of Montua, yet he violated them for his own social gain. Regardless, it's crystal clear that the Apothecary did act with greedy intentions towards Romeo. As a result, it is important to consider that his actions highlight the insight of the social norms of the era. The Apothecary’s negligence becomes obvious when he fails to assess the consequences of his actions. For instance, when Romeo gives the Apothecary money for the poison, the Apothecary replies with a sense of unwillingness, stating “Put this in any kind of liquid you want, and drink it. Even if you had the strength of twenty men, it would kill you quickly” (Shakespeare 5.1: 79-81). Through this response we can tell that the Apothecary doesn't care about what happens later on to Romeo. The Apothecary's only concern is making a profit of what Romeo will pay him at the end of the bargain. As a result, the actions of the Apothecary emboldens Romeo's motivation to join Juliet in the