Feuding is probably the most accurate reason for Romeo and Juliet’s tragic deaths and many would agree it is the reason for their deaths. Though there are some other possibilities.
Could the deaths of Romeo and Juliet be caused by the fathers themselves? If Romeo and Juliet hadn’t have lived in a patriarchal city, where the fathers hold virtually absolute sway over their daughters choice of husband then maybe Romeo and Juliet would have survived. If Romeo and Juliet could have told everyone that they had fallen in love without anyone getting angry then they may not have died.
If Juliet’s father wasn’t so deeply insulted in Juliet’s choice not to marry Paris ‘go with Paris to Saint Peter’s church or I will drag the on a hurdle thither’. Then Juliet wouldn’t have had to take the poison to get out of marrying Paris and then Romeo wouldn’t have thought she was dead.
Juliet was far too frightened to tell her father about her love for Romeo, if she has have had the courage to she may not have had to marry Romeo in secret.
If the society that Romeo and Juliet lived in had more equal relations between sexes, Juliet’s father wouldn’t have had his way, so when Juliet and Romeo knew they were meant to be together, Juliet could have chosen him to be her husband without the consent of her father.
Many might argue that Romeo and Juliet’s death were meant to happen. Throughout ‘Romeo and Juliet’ the suggestion that Romeo and Juliet’s death were determined by fate is evident. At the beginning of the play the chorus refers to Romeo and Juliet as ‘star-crossed lovers’ suggesting that Romeo and Juliet’s deaths were foretold in the stars.
‘For my mind misgives some consequence yet hanging in the stars’ this gives the impression that Romeo believes that whatever happens to him, was already planned, he believes his fate holds his destiny.
‘The yoke of inauspicious stars’ this signifies again that Romeo believes that the stars have hold of, and control his destiny.
Chance is another part in the deaths of Romeo and Juliet as the servant couldn’t read the letters ‘can never find what the writing person hath here writ’ it was chance that out of all the people the servant would ask Romeo to read the names.
Mercutio’s death is also chance. If Romeo hadn’t stepped in front of Mercutio at that point, where Tybalt struck for Mercutio, then maybe Mercutio could have defended himself.
Another reason, is adolescent love. Could their youth be the cause of their death? Romeo believes ‘I ne’er true beauty till this night’. This suggests that Romeo didn’t really love Rosalaine as much as he had declared. If Romeo can change his feelings so quickly, could it be lack of experience? If Romeo hadn’t been so quick to declare his love to Juliet then this tragedy may not have happened.
Romeo and Juliet’s relationship was first more of lust than love. When Romeo sees Juliet for the first time he says ‘did my heart love till now?’ which depicts again that Romeo didn’t love Rosaline and he quickly changes his affections. This suggests in the same way that Romeo and Juliet’s deaths could be linked with their age.
The tragedy of Romeo and Juliet could be caused by love itself. If Romeo hadn’t been so in love with Juliet he wouldn’t have killed himself to be with her, when he found out she was dead ‘I will be with thee tonight’ so if he didn’t kill himself the plan would have worked and they both would have survived.
The above part of this assignment depicts the fact that with out the feud of the Montague and Capulet, the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet may never have occurred. Though there are other possibilities for their deaths the obvious conclusion is on there own the possibilities aren’t large enough to cause the deaths directly.
Shakespeare hints that Romeo and Juliet will come to a tragic end throughout the play by his use of words. The chorus at the begging of the play instantly makes the audience realise death is on the cards for them ‘death-marked love’ ‘children’s end nought could remove’ ‘Doth with their death bury their parents strife’ Shakespeare also hinted at the inevitability of the tragedy by suggesting that their deaths were foretold in the stars ‘star-crossed’ ‘the yoke if inauspicious stars’ these all added to the suggestion of a tragic end.
Repeating words and phrases is a favorite and effective devise of Shakespeare. It is sometimes a single word like ‘civil’ in the prologue or it might be a line that adds depth to both drama and the character. ‘The country Paris, at St Peter’s church shall happily make thee a joyful bride’ (Lady Capulet) ‘How by St Peter’s Church and Peter too, He shall not make me there a joyful bride’ (Juliet) Shakespeare often talks of the stars and what they have in store for the characters. The repetition here effectively portrays a tragedy is to happen.
The play is filled with images of light and dark ‘more light and light, more dark and dark are woes!’. The creation of light and dark suggest that the love of Romeo and Juliet is the ‘light’ in the play but it also immplies that some darkness will occur later in the play.
When Romeo and Juliet are talking on the balcony Juliet is fearful of Romeo’s safety in the hands of her kinsmen ‘If they do see thee, they will murder thee’. This signifies how much Capulet and Montauge hate each other, that if they found a Montague near a capulet house they would kill them. This suggests death is quite a high penalty for Romeo and Juliet love for each other and again points to the tragic end of Romeo and Juliet.
Shakespeare language changed throughout the play. Each of the prologues is in sonnet style. The rhythm of sonnets helps make it more memorable. In addition it helps to sum up what has happened or what is about to happen in the play and is varied and effectively create impact.
In the riot Scene earlier on in the play Shakespeare has to create a riot. Shakespeare does this successfully by gradually building it up. To start of with there are some more childish gestures ‘do you bite your thumb at us, sir’ This rude gesture is just meant to start argument, but as the remarks start to get more insulting it is obvious it is starting to look like a riot ‘What, art thou drawn among these heartless hinds’ Tybalt is now seriously mocking Mercutio. This creates impact and tension as the audience want to know what is to happen next. Also the fact that it is happening in a public place adds to the tension.
Shakespeare uses puns and play on words to give every aspect of the play a difference. Such as on Mercutio’s death, Mercutio even puns ‘ask for me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man’ this help make it a more memorable death.
Shakespeare uses metaphors and similes through out the play ‘shrieks like mandrakes’ ‘torn out of the earth’ ‘bloody Tybalt, yet but green in earth’ using comparisons like this helps to describe the atmosphere and build tension were needed, to help entertain the audience
Shakespeare uses oxymoron, as the play is full of opposites. ‘Loving hate’ is an oxymoron as it is two contradictory words brought together to give a striking expression.
Mercutio's language changes rapidly in Act 1 Scene 4. The language goes from sexual punning to mystical dreams of queen Mab ‘O then I see Queen Mab hath been with you’ Shakespeare’s contrast between language here gives an insight into the complex character of Mercutio.
‘The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars, as daylight doth a lamp’ Shakespeare’s language here impacts on the audience as it gives a strong contrast between the darker side of ‘Romeo and Juliet’
Shakespeare successfully shows the ability to hint that death is imminent through out the play. Shakespeare also changes the style of his language by using different types to create interest for the audience. To say that the feud was the cause of Romeo and Juliet’s death simplifies the play, but is an effective answer to the extremely complex question.
Jennifer Airey
