Who Is To Blame For The Deaths Of Romeo And Juliet Essay

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Piper Lowder Mrs. Runyon English 1 24 March 2023 Who's to Blame? Romeo and Juliet, written by William Shakespeare is a play about young love that ends in a tragedy. Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet fall in love even though their families have a long-lasting feud. This causes the couple to get married in secret. Chaos then ensues which then leads to their untimely death. While many characters had a hand in the deaths of Romeo and Juliet, Romeo and Friar Lawrence are the most to blame. Romeo is one person to blame for the couple's death. To begin, he is fickle For example, Romeo said he loved Rosaline but he then fell in love with Juliet. Even though Romeo had just gotten turned down by Rosaline he still loves her and states, “...Nor ope …show more content…

Firstly, he is irresponsible. For instance, when Romeo asks Friar to perform a marriage to him and Juliet, Friar tells the couple “Come, come with me, and we will make short work;/ For, by your leaves, you shall not stay alone/ Till Holy Church incorporate two in one” (Shakespeare II. v.35-37). Friar knows that this marriage may cause conflict and harm, but he performs the marriage anyways. This causes the marriage to be secretive because of the feud between the Capulets and Montagues. This then causes issues between the couple, and ultimately leads to their death. Next, he is selfish and doesnt think of others. For example, when Friar finds Juliet in the tomb knowing that Romeo is dead he flees the tomb as the watchman approaches. Friar states, “…Stay not to question, for the watch is coming./ Come, go, good Juliet. I dare no longer stay” (Shakespeare V.iii.158-159). Friar Lawrence is fearful of being caught guilty of marrying Romeo and Juliet so he flees. This leaves Juliet alone in the tomb with her dead husband. Friar knows that Juliet is going to be extremely upset when she sees her husband dead, but he leaves anyway. In the end, Friar's actions cause Juliet to kill herself. If Friar Lawrence had not been irresponsible and selfish, Romeo and Juliet would still be alive.