The Most Responsible For The Deaths Of Romeo And Juliet

There are numerous characters in Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare that can hold partial responsibility for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. However, Friar Laurence exhibits the most responsible for their deaths through his actions because he marries Romeo and Juliet, helps fake Juliet’s death and fails to tell Romeo his and Juliet’s plan. Love causes people to do irrational things without contemplating their decisions beforehand. A day after meeting one another, Romeo and Juliet decide to get married and Romeo asks Friar Laurence to marry them. At first Friar Laurence is hesitant and disapproves to marry them, but after some persuasion he believes their marriage would help an alliance form between the Montagues and the Capulets “For

Tybalt wanted to fight Romeo for showing up at the Capulet’s ball, but Mercutio being a faithful friend decided he would fight on the behalf of Romeo. Romeo steps in the middle of them and Tybalt ends up stabbing Mercutio under Romeo’s arms. Out of anger and wanting of revenge Romeo kills Tybalt and because of this is banished from Verona. ‘“Therefore use none: let Romeo hence in haste,”’ (3.1. 190). One would say Romeo is responsible for their deaths because if he had not been banished from Verona he would have not been far away from Juliet and Friar Laurence could have told him the Juliet’s plan in person. However, Friar Laurence was unwise to have given Juliet the potion before confirming with Romeo and sending Friar John with such vital information instead of delivering the letter to Romeo personally and making sure he got the letter. When Romeo found out Juliet was “dead” he was wrecked because although they were not together for long he stilled loved Juliet. He was so devastated, he took his own life to be with her, “Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die” (5.3. 120). Romeo should not be blamed for being deeply in love. Friar Laurence should because if he had not helped Juliet fake her death, Romeo would have not thought Juliet was dead and not killed himself and then Juliet would have been alive. Essentially Friar Laurence’s is held accountable for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet because he marries them, helps Juliet fake her death and fails to deliver the letter to