Who Is Responsible For The Demise Of Romeo And Juliet

Brandon Aguilar

Mrs. Chandler

English 1 - C

20 May 2023

Audacious Love: Romeo and Juliet’s Demise Romeo and Juliet is considered far and wide as the most significant love story and tragedy ever written, eventually culminating in the deaths of the protagonists Romeo and Juliet. The eventual demise of Romeo and Juliet can be attributed to all aspects of their lives, but primarily Romeo’s character, misguidance and neglect towards Romeo and Juliet from the adults around them, and a lack of communication between the two lovers. Romeo’s character was the driving force that led him towards his demise. From the very beginning of the story, it is stated that Romeo is quite a peculiar character who “Shuts up his windows, locks fair daylight out and

Romeo’s emotional nature, as well as his infatuation with women and their beauty, causes him to constantly switch from one love to another leading to him saying “Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night.” (Shakespeare 1.5.54-55) Romeo proved himself emotionally unstable, and his inability to make decisions and stick to them ultimately led to his banishment from Verona. When faced with another fiery and impulsive youth in Tybalt, Romeo initially wished not to fight him and allowed Mercutio to take action while he attempted to deescalate their situation by asking Benvolio to “Draw, beat down their weapons… the Prince expressly hath forbid this bandying in Verona streets.” (Shakespeare 3.1.84-87)

After Romeo and Juliet became married their marriage was not announced immediately but decided to be kept secret from both noble families for the time being. But, this would have dire consequences as later in the day Romeo would slay Tybalt, making Romeo a criminal. “[It] was Tybalt’s doomsday, whose untimely death banish’d the new-made bridegroom.” Had the announcement been made earlier Tybalt would not seek to slay Romeo as it would ruin his family’s name. Romeo and Juliet’s limited time together caused them to cherish every moment and caused them to fear every moment they were not together. Their will to be by each other's side is emphasized when Romeo says “I have more care to stay than will to go. Come, death, and welcome! Juliet wills it so” (Shakespeare 3.5.23-24). Romeo would rather stay and die than leave and never see Juliet, and this causes their demise. Friar Lawrence’s letter would be the only thing to say to the lovers, it was a piece of vital information. Friar Lawrence’s card was “of dear import; and the neglecting it may do much danger.” (Shakespeare 5.2.19-20). Friar Lawrence was aware that communication was vital in getting Romeo back together with Juliet but he was also unaware of the consequences at the time. Communication is what kept Romeo and Juliet attached and it was also a future lack of it that would cause them to take their lives in each others’