While William Shakespeare clearly wants readers to believe that fate is at work, Capulet is undoubtedly to blame for the tragic demise of Romeo and Juliet in The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. Had Capulet not been so unforgiving, capricious, and irascible, these two star-crossed lovers would have lived to tell their tale. Capulet’s stubbornness leads to the death of Romeo and Juliet. Before the first scene even occurs, the Chorus informs the audience (and readers) of the “continuance of their parents’ rage, / Which, but their children’s end, naught could remove” (Prologue.10-11). Through this insightful sonnet, Shakespeare informs readers of the ancient grudge that the Capulets and Montagues hold against each other; this grudge is not resolved …show more content…
This is a serious threat on Capulet’s end, since a “hurdle” is a cart used to transport criminals; this comparison of Juliet to a criminal fully contradicts his original stance on her marriage status. If Capulet had been consistent in how he treated Juliet, she would not have went to the Friar to help her get out of this arranged marriage; this would have prevented Friar Laurence’s fatal plan from being put into place, which would have saved Romeo and Juliet’s lives. Capulet’s (word) leads to the tragic demise of Romeo and Juliet, in addition to his capricious and inconsistent nature. As Capulet becomes more and more agitated when talking to Juliet, his insults become increasingly more harsh. He even gets to the point of threatening Juliet, saying, “For, by my soul, I’ll ne’er acknowledge thee, / Nor what is mine shall never do thee good” (3.5.194-195). This threat to disown his only daughter shows the severity of Capulet’s hot-headed nature. Had Capulet not exploded in the way that he did, Juliet would not have turned to death as a solution for her desperate state; she would not have killed herself, and the same would have been true for Romeo. Although Shakespeare may have wanted readers to believe that Romeo and Juliet were fortune’s fool, the evidence clearly shows that the obstinance, inconsistency, and quick-tempered nature of Capulet are to blame for the lovers’ tragic