Rationalize who is to blame for the misfortune of Romeo and Juliet.

Tybalt was the first to see Romeo at the ball, when he heard his voice he said, "This, by his voice, should be a Montogue. Fetch e my rapier, boy. What, dares the slave come hither, cover'd with an antic face, to fleer and scorn at our solemnity? Now, by the stock and honor of my kin, To strike him dead I hold it not a sin" (Act 1 Scene 5, line 53). By this, Tybalt meant that a Montogue is not good enough for a party of the Capulets, and he does not see it as a sin to kill him. He then told Lord Capulet in line 60 and Lord Capulet then in (Act 1 Scene 5, line 63) says "Young Romeo, isit?" by this time Lord Caputlet has recognized Romeo. He then says "Content thee, gentle coz, let him alone; "A bears him like a portly gentleman. And to say truth Verona brags of him to be a vituous and well-govern'd youth. I would not for the wealth of all this town here in my house do him disparagement." (Act 1 Scene 5, line 64). In this quote, Lord Capulet means Romeo is a well known boy in the town and did not want to start anything at his their masked ball because prince Escalus was attending it. Lord Capulet allowed Romeo to stay because they wanted the party to be successful, so prince Escalus would be impressed. They did not want to cause a fight or an argument so they allowed him to stay. Overall the prince was very pleased with the Capulet's and the party went well.

Secondly Lord and Lady Montigue were very concerned about their depressed son Romeo. He was not part of the fight at the beginning of the play but Lady Montague was wondering where he was, (Act 1 Scene 1 line 114) " O where is Romeo? Saw you him to day? Right glad I am he was not at this Friday". Then Benvolio proved that Romeo was heart broken in (Act 1 Scene 1 line 116) "Madam an hour before the worshipp'd sun peer'd forth the golden window of the east, a troubled mind drove me to walk abroad where underneath the grove of sycamore. So early walking did I see your son. Towards him I made, but he was ware of me, and stole into the covert of the wood. I, measuring his affections by my own, which then most sought where most might not be found, being one too many by my weary self, pursu'd my humor not pursuing his, and gladly shunn'd who gladly fled from me"

In the quote Benvolio is saying, Romeo was actually heart broken by a girl named Rosalyn he thought he loved, and was by himself sulking.

Tybalt had a very aggressive attitude towards the Montogues. He is evidently a very highly respected character to the Capulet family, also he is one of the main characters throughout the play, and is always ready to draw and fight with a Montogue. "What! Drawn, and talk peace? I hate the word as I hate hell, all Montogue's, and thee. Have at thee coward!" (Act I, Scene 1 Lines 71) By this quote, Tybalt, a capulet, obviously dislikes Montigues and due to this he expresses his hate during the fight.

No less at fault for the deaths of the lovers than themselves, was Friar Lawerance. When he first appeared in the play, he was talking of how good intentions can sometimes have bad results (Act 2, Scene 3) " Now ere the sun advance his burning eye the day to cheer and night's dank dew to dry, I must up-fill this osier cage of ours with blateful weeds and precious juiced flowers. The earth that's nature's mother is her tomb; what is her burying grave, that is her womb; and from her womb children of divers kind we sucking o her natural bosom find. O mickle is the powerful grace that lies in plants, herbs stones and their true qualities. For naught so vile that on the earth doth live but to the earth some special good doth give; nor aught so good but, strain'd from that fair use revolts from true birth, stumbling on abuse. Within the infant rind of this weak flower poison hath residence, and medicine power: for this, being smelt, with that part cheers each part; being tasted stays all sense with the heart And where the worser is predominant, full soon the canker death eats up that plant"(Act 2, Scene 3). So he also compares his emotions by using plant-related words such as weak flower, being smelt. At the time that Romeo asked him to marry Juliet, he agreed to, thinking that he could marry the two then and announce it to the families later. He had hoped that this would end the feud between the families. But when Romeo was exiled, this was no longer an option. The Capulets would have been less than pleased to learn that their daughter was married to a killer.

Thus, the Friar's good intentions lead to bad results the deaths of Romeo and Juliet.

Friar Lawrence also contributed to the death with his potion to put Juliet to sleep for two days, Benvolio was at the funeral and told Romeo that Juliet was dead, before Friar Lawrence could have the truth delivered. This action caused Romeo to take poison and kill himself. Then when Juliet awoke and saw Romeo dead, and saw the poison bottle empty (Act 5, Scene 3, line 161) " What's here? A cup, closed in my true love's hand? Poison, I see, hath been his timeless end. O churl! Drunk all, and left no friendly drop to help me after! I will kiss thy lips; happily some poison yet doth hang on them, to make me die with a resotorative"

Juliet was terrified and also wanted to die after seeing Romeo dead, she kissed him hoping to find traces of the poison still left on his lips but sadly there was none left. So then in Act 5, Scene 3, line 169.

"O happy dagger! This is thy sheath; there rust, and let me die"

Juliet finds a dagger, commits suicide and she falls on top of Romeo's body where they both lay to rest in peace.

By

Sumit Selli