Chance is different to fate in that it is influenced by the choices people make. Events are not pre-decided but individuals’ actions create chance. In Act III Scene I Mercutio says “why the devil came you between us?” this seems to suggest that the choice to step between Mercutio and Tybalt Romeo made led to the death of Mercutio. Chance and circumstances created by the choices of individuals has a small part to play in the deaths of Romeo and Juliet but isn’t entirely to blame.
The feud is the fight between the Montagues and the Capulet's and has quite a large part to play in the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. They both come from separate families and this forces them to conceal their love. If they could have been open about how they felt for each other without fear of death then none of the events would have taken place. The prince blames the feud at the end of the play. He says,”That heaven finds means to kill your joys with love”. This proves that the feud had a large part to play in their deaths, but there are still some other characters that may be guiltier than first thought. It also mentions heaven as if to say God himself is punishing the families. Juliet even says to Romeo, “if they do see thee, they will murder thee.” This shows that it is incredibly dangerous for them to be together right from the beginning.
Friar Lawrence and the Nurse have known Romeo and Juliet since birth. Their love for their charges leads them to try and help but they become a hindrance instead. To begin with, the Nurse facilitates a meeting between them. The friar then marries them. “Till holy church incorporate two in one”. This is done as a means to draw the two families together and end the feud but has the complete opposite of the desired effect. The friar’s plan is almost entirely to blame for the deaths of the two lovers. It is long winded and full of complications and this is why it fails. Romeo isn’t told what’s going on and acts in an extreme way as a young man in love would. The Nurse is constantly trying to give Juliet advice. When her parents tell her she has to marry Paris the Nurse says to “leave Romeo”. This shows that she just wants a quick fix and for it all to be done with. The Nurse also goes to see Romeo for her. This is just helping her into trouble.
Patriarchal society could also be to blame for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. A patriarchal society is one where men predominate in positions of power. This is reflected when Capulet is adamant that Juliet will marry Paris as he ordered her to. He says,” Or I will drag thee on a hurdle thither. Out, you green-sickness carrion!” This demonstrates his power as the man of the family. As the man of the house the father made every decision for their children, including who they married. Going against the wishes of her father may have been a reason they rushed as so they would already be married when he found out. This may have been the rash decision that ultimately led to their deaths. Marriage was also for money, not love. In the 16th century marriage was almost a business deal. When they go against their parents’ wishes they are going against society as well.
The lovers themselves can also be blamed for what happened. They met at a party and were married within three days. This violent love and extreme passion could be what drove them to their deaths. They wanted to do everything right away and so they went along with anything that meant they could spend time together. This demonstrates immaturity, impulsiveness and naivety. It also demonstrates selfishness as they are thinking of no-one but themselves. This is reflected when Juliet says, “then, window, let day in and life out”. This shows the passion they have for each other and is coincidently the last time they see each other alive. Romeo tends to lose his cool a lot during the play, and this leads him to do some stupid things. The most major one is that when Mercutio is killed, he goes on a hunt and kills Tybalt. If he had any sense, he’d have let his marriage to Juliet be revenge enough.
Overall, I feel that fate had very little to do with Romeo and Juliet’s deaths. Chance killed Mercutio, the feud forced them to hide their love, patriarchal society meant they had to go against their parents plans for them in life, the Nurse interfered when she could and Friar Lawrence’s plan failed and led to their deaths. Overall I think Friar Lawrence is the most to blame for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. He allowed them to rush into marriage and then failed to execute his plan properly and as a result both Romeo and Juliet died. Shakespeare’s play offered so many people to blame, but once you start digging deeper into the story you begin to find that all events are interlinked and that some people’s choices cause more devastation than others.
Lewis Jones 10G
