Romeo And Juliet: Powers, Forces And Tragedy

Zakrzewski 1
Megan Zakrzewski
Ms. Franzè
ENG 1DP-03
8 May 2023
Powers, Forces and Tragedy
Romeo and Juliet written by William Shakespeare is a tragic narrative about two “star-crossed lovers” who cannot be together due to the longstanding feud between their families: the Capulets and the Montagues. In the end however, impatient, impulsive Romeo and Juliet go against their families in secrecy to be with one another: with the aid of the Friar as well as the power of fate leading to their untimely demises. In Romeo and Juliet, the deaths of the two lovers are ultimately caused by powers and forces

Actions such as their wedding, giving Juliet the vial and abandoning her in the finale lead to their untimely demises. First, in the Friar’s attempts to help improve the relationship between the Capulets and the Montagues, he agrees to marry Romeo and Juliet. Even knowing that it is a sudden decision and that their families are unaware, he wants to aid the town of Verona through them. An example of the Friar trying to assist the young lovers in their marriage is evident when he says, “These violent delights have violent ends” (2.6.9). This is notable since it reveals that the Friar is aware that this hasty marriage is a poor idea, but wants to help the town, so instead, he gives them a warning to go steadily. To be safe in their love rather than doing the right thing by choosing not to marry them for the time being. Next, Friar Laurence’s choice to give Juliet the potion to make her appear dead in order to avoid wedding her to Paris in fact harms her and Romeo’s romance. His comment to Juliet that “if [she] darest, [he]’ll give [her] remedy” (4.1.76) further proves that this is a time-stressed verdict, more in his own self-interest than to help Juliet. As a Friar, he cannot knowingly officiate a second marriage for Juliet with Paris. Keeping this in mind, he places all of the pressure on Juliet, a volatile teenager in need of guidance by giving her the vial rather than taking action

Then, following the lover’s demises, he admits that “[he is] the greatest, able to do least” (5.3.223). This illustrates that although he later regrets his actions, in the moment he did not want to be found surrounded by the bodies and be blamed for their deaths, so in his fear he abandons Juliet. The Friar as a trusted guide should not have left an impulsive and depressed 14-year-old on her own. Ultimately, although he may be trying to help them, due to the Friar’s attempts to aid Verona, his sense of self-preservation and cowardice he only ever brings Romeo and Juliet closer to death. It is not until the end of the story that Friar Laurence recognizes how much of his own well-meaning decisions lead to this tragic outcome; however by then it is too