Who Is Responsible For The Deaths Of Romeo And Juliet

Love is a powerful force that can bring people together, but it can also have devastating consequences if misguided. In William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, two star-crossed lovers go to great lengths to be with each other. They fall in love, get married, and die all within a week. Friar Lawrence is responsible for Romeo and Juliet’s deaths because he married them on a whim and a flawed plan. Friar Lawrence gave little to no thought about marrying Romeo and Juliet, which led to secrets, questionable advice, and ultimately their death. For example, after Romeo met Juliet at the party, he went to Friar Lawrence’s cell beseeching him to marry them, Friar Lawrence accepted saying, “For this alliance may so happy prove/ To turn your households’

For example, when Juliet was distraught over marrying Paris, she ran to Friar Lawrence seeking advice saying, “Unless thou tell me how I may prevent it/ If, in thy wisdom thou canst give no help, //And with this knife I’ll help it presently” (4.1.52-55). With the threat of Juliet committing suicide, Friar Lawrence created a plan instantaneously. He gave her a questionable elixir that would make her appear dead for 42 hours, but there was no telling if it would work. In another example, when Friar Lawrence gave Friar John a letter containing the plan, he instructed him to give it to Romeo, Friar John came back days later saying, “I could not send it, --here it is again-- / Nor get a messenger to bring it thee” (5.2.14-15). Romeo was unaware of Friar Lawrence’s shortsighted plan because Friar John was unable to give him the letter. Friar Lawrence should have delivered the enlightening letter to Romeo himself to ensure he received it. In a final example, when Juliet woke up from the effects of the potion, she found Romeo dead and said, “O churl, drunk all, and left no friendly drop/ To help me after! I will kiss thy lips. //To make me die with a restorative” (5.3.168-170). Romeo’s ignorance regarding Friar Lawrence’s plan led him to kill himself. After waking up to find him dead, distraught, Juliet killed herself. Romeo and Juliet were so in love, they were willing to die for each other. Creating a plan revolved around