Who Is To Blame For Romeo And Juliet's Death

Rhys Rudolph

Mrs. Finney

English 1/2

2/28/18

Romeo and Juliet: Victims of Fate

In the popular tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, written by William Shakespeare in the late 1500’s, the tale of two star crossed lovers with feuding families that keep them apart is described. At the end of this famous masterpiece, the two end up dead. The question is continuously asked, “who is to blame?”. This twisted and interesting classic is a tragedy filled with young love, dramatic features, and tragic outcomes. Fingers are continuously pointed at different characters in the story about who is to blame for the famous Romeo and Juliet’s deaths. I believe that it is not necessarily a person that is most responsible for the deaths of the young lovers but fate itself.

After Tybalt rashly murdered Romeo’s dear friend, Mercutio, Romeo stated that he would kill Tybalt to avenge the hatred that he began to spread on Verona. The quote, “This day’s black fate on more days doth depend; this but begins the woe others must end.” (Act 3 Scene 1 Lines 118-119) is stated. In this quote, Shakespeare is foreshadowing the murder of Juliet’s cousin, Tybalt. After Romeo rashly murdered Tybalt, he no longer believes that he has any control over fate, and that him and Juliet would now never be able to be together. Romeo states, “O, I am fortune’s fool!” (Act 3 Scene 1 Line 135) which is another quote designed by Shakespeare that hints towards the fact that fate is the real reason behind the murder of Tybalt. On their last night together before Romeo is banished from Verona, the two young lovers feel distraught and helpless. Juliet expresses her feelings by stating, “O Fortune, Fortune! All men call thee fickle” (Act 3 Scene 5 Lines 50-?). In this section of the story, Juliet expresses her beliefs around the theme of fortune and how it is unchangeable. She prays that fate will not pull Romeo away from her. Juliet believes that fate will someday bring Romeo back but sadly, this is not the

This event took place as Lord Capulet's servant was in need for someone that had the ability to read the guest list outloud to him. By chance, Lord Capulet's servant meets Romeo and Benvolio and politely asks them if they know how to read. This meeting once again shows the importance of fate in the entire storyline of the play. Romeo claims that it is his fortune (fate) to read the guest list and that chance was the guiding force that put Lord Capulet's servant and him together. Once Romeo lays eyes on Juliet, he is instantly in love. Romeo states, “O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night like a rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear—beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear. So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows as yonder lady o'er her fellows shows.The measure done, I'll watch her place of stand And, touching hers, make blessèd my rude hand. Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight, For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night” (Act 1 Scene 5 Lines