This essay will explore the question Who is to blame for the tragic death of Romeo and Juliet? .It will first focus on Romeo

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Romeo and Juliet

"Romeo and Juliet" is a famous work by William Shakespeare. It is a love story about the 'two star crossed lovers' Romeo and Juliet, who meet with their tragic end due to dispute between their families. Two young innocent lives were led into the jaws of death due to misguidance given by the Nurse and the immature behaviour of Romeo, but over and above everything was their unchangeable destinies which headed towards their end. This essay will explore the question 'Who is to blame for the tragic death of Romeo and Juliet?' .It will first focus on Romeo as the most to be blamed character in the tragedies and then on Nurse, Fate also plays a very major role in tragic death of both the lovers.

Romeo and Juliet belonged to a high class society but unfortunately for them both their families had been into a feud since decades. Romeo is the only son of Lord and Lady Montague and so Juliet the only one to the Capulet's. At the beginning of the play Romeo is able to keep himself away from the fight between the families because he is deeply obsessed with love. Romeo is desperately in love with Rosaline who is a Capulet and is about to commit a blander by approaching her, which might result in to a big fight between families.

Romeo:" out of her favour where I am in love"

(Act 1, Scene 2, Line 162)

Romeo:"grief of mine own lie heavy in my breast,

Which thouh wilt propagate to have it press'd

With more of thine, this love that thou hast

Shown, both add more grief to too much of

Mine own. Love is a smoke made with fume of

Sighs".

(Act 1, Scene 1, Line 180)

Romeo is supposed to be in unconventional love with Rosaline by his family and friends due to his behaviour. We could have also guessed the same thing from his use of language and description of his feelings. Although he is serious about Rosaline and has faith in his love, he fails when it is put on test.

Romeo changes decisions very suddenly even if it would prove his first love wrong. He made strong appeals for getting married to Rosaline when he was in love with her but then things changed because of Juliet. People didn't know much about the relationship of Romeo and Juliet; when Romeo confined himself with Juliet they thought he was still in love with Rosaline. People are made fool by Romeo, he things by doing so he can escape from the consequences but he is unaware of even bigger trouble caused by doing so.

Romeo:" Did my heart love till now? Foreswear it

Sight! /for I ne'er saw true beauty till this night"

(Act 1, Scene 2, Line 125)

Romeo says this when he saw Juliet at the ball. After this he suddenly forgets every thing about Rosaline completely. He falls in love with Juliet at first sight, at the Capulet feast but before a couple of hours he was deeply obsessed with Rosaline, this shows his fickleness. Romeo's love for Rosaline was short lived, his attraction towards Juliet shows how frequently he changed his mind. His changing mind and impulsive behaviour becomes a problem for him later. His immaturity and adolescence can be blamed for his death. This clearly shows why he is to blame for his and his beloved wife Juliet's death.

Romeo makes decisions in haste and dose not think about the consequences .He rushes for the marriage even after knowing that Juliet is a Capulet

Romeo: "Th' exchange of thy love's faithful vow of mine"

(Act 2, Scene 2, Line 125)

Romeo was very well conversant about the fluid between the Montague's and Capulet's. Romeo learnt from the Nurse that Juliet is a Capulet, but still he did not hesitate and approached her. He did not think about what destruction there relationship could cause. He became self-centred and did not think things through. Although he met Juliet only before few hours he proposed her to marry him. His rushing decision to marry Juliet in secret became the major cause of there end. Romeo and Juliet got married in secret as Romeo had planed with out there parents getting a hint of it; this was indeed a wrong deal of action. Romeo did not think about the consequences, he became selfish just for seeking sensual pleasures. Romeo's hastiness and impatient can also be argued as main points for the tragic death of the young lovers.
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Romeo is not good at handling situations. He deliberately avoids confrontation with Tybalt to the despair of Mercutio until he is drawn into the fight, which then results in Mercutio's death

Romeo:" Tybalt, the reason that I have to love tee

Doth much excuse the appertaining range?

To such a greeting villain and I none;

Therefore farewell, I see thou knowest me not."

(Act 3, Scene 1, Line 60)

Romeo is reluctant to fight Tybalt because they are now related through Romeo's marriage to Juliet. Mercutio mistakes Romeo's ignorance to fight Tybalt ...

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