Romeo & Juliet - Who is responsible inMaking the play a tragedy.

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Ben Dearing 10GL

Romeo & Juliet – Who is responsible in

Making the play a tragedy

“Romeo and Juliet” is a story of love that is wrecked by a feud between the two lovers’ families. Romeo, a Montague is madly in love with Juliet, a Capulet. They are both young and fall madly in love. Juliet is in her early teens, around thirteen, and Romeo is in his late teens about nineteen.

  This story is definitely a tragedy. A tragedy is where something bad happens. In this play, the love between them is a tragedy as both of the main characters end up dead in each other’s arms. In a way, their love is a “perfect love”. From the minute they meet each other, they fall madly in love and end up dedicated and devoted to each other. But the audience knows that the love between the youngsters does not stand a chance as the family feud denies them the chance.

  The feud between the two families is an integral part in the story and is definitely a main factor in the outcome of this tragedy. The story revolves around the two families and more importantly the feud. The feud is between the Montagues and the Capulets. Both families are very rich and therefore that already creates a tension between the two families.

  We are not told too much about the family feud, although we do know that it is long standing. In the Prologue, the sentence: -

    “From ancient grudge break to new mutiny.”

We know that the feud has been going on a long time. This tells us that it is long standing and had cooled down but the words: -

    “Break to new mutiny.”

We know that the grudge as flared up again, although we are not told why.

  We know that the older members of the families are still feuding. A sentence from one of the Montague’s servants sums this up: -

    “The quarrel is between our masters, and us their men.”

The sentence says that the old men, the heads of the families are the main men in the feud and everyone else are just their men, like two armies. Although they are elderly, they are both still actively involved in the feud. The sentence:

    “My sword I say! Old Montague has come.”

  Old Capulet says this. When he hears about the fight or argument on the street and old Montague is there, he immediately wants his sword so he can go out and fight. This is how deep the feud is.

  We also know how deep the feud runs. Tybalt is Juliet’s cousin but he still detests the Montagues as much as any of the Capulet’s family. He definitely does not hide his true feelings about the feud. He says: -

    “What, drawn and talk of peace, I hate the word,

     As I hate hell and all Montague's and thee.”

In this sentence he explains how much he hates the Montagues. He uses the Montague’s name directly with the word ‘‘hell’’.

  The fight, where Romeo kills Tybalt is in a way, pre-meditated. Romeo and his best friend Mercutio somehow get an invitation to the Capulet’s party although it is not given to them and they turn up. Although it is a fancy dress party and many of them are wearing masks, Tybalt spots Romeo. He wants to go and confront him but old Capulet tells him not to bother, as it would ruin the party. Tybalt replies with: -

    “I will withdraw, but this intrusion shall,

     Now seeming sweet, convert to bitt’rest gall.”

  This tells us that he will not cause trouble at the party, but indicates that he will outside.

  A few days after Romeo marries Juliet in secret. That same day, Tybalt goes looking for Romeo for the aftermath of the party. Tybalt is fired up and finds Romeo on Verona beach. Tybalt approaches Romeo and says: -

    “Well peace be with you sir, here comes my man.”

Then Tybalt starts getting aggressive towards Romeo and offers him a fight. Romeo does not retaliate because he has just married Juliet, unknown to Tybalt. He carries on getting aggressive and continually gets more aggressive. That’s when Mercutio jumps in. He sees that Romeo is distressed and doesn’t want to fight Tybalt so he tries to calm Tybalt down. He says to Tybalt: -

    “Tybalt, you rat-catcher, will you walk?”

Here, Mercutio asks Tybalt if he will walk away and leave but Tybalt refuses and tells Mercutio: -

    “I am for you”

Mercutio is unwilling to back down to Tybalt and then the two of them start fighting, much to Romeo’s displeasure. Tybalt then kills Mercutio and Mercutio last line is: -

    “A plague a ‘both your houses! I am sped.”

This tells us that he thinks that the family feud is to blame for his death and instead of just plaguing the Capulet’s house; he plagues both of the houses. Romeo feels really guilty at this point whereas Tybalt shows no remorse for what he has done. Romeo realises that the family feud is to blame but also feels guilty because Mercutio was sticking up for him. Mercutio is an important person in the feud as what happens afterwards is an important part on the play.

  After Mercutio dies in Romeos arms, Romeo goes looking for Tybalt and chases him up. Benvolio tries to stop him but Romeo is in a rage. He feels guilty. Romeo chases Tybalt up onto Verona beach and they start fighting. Romeo kills Tybalt but soon regrets this. Romeo says: -

    “Oh, I am fortune’s fool.”

He realises that he will be in serious trouble for killing Tybalt and may even be framed for killing Mercutio. He is advised to run by Benvolio, as the Prince is on his way. Romeo runs before the Prince arrives. When he arrives, he asks Benvolio what had happened and Benvolio replied with: -

    “O noble Prince, I can discover all,

    The unlucky manage of this fatal brawl,

Join now!

    There lays the man, slain by Romeo,

    That slew thy kinsman, brave Mercutio.”

 The prince then evaluates what has happened and comes to the conclusion that Romeo is to be exiled from the city of Verona.

  The feud does not surface again until the end of the play. In the tomb, Romeo finds Paris at Juliet’s side and is angered. The two of them then fight, leaving Paris dead at the end of the play. Romeo later regrets this. Romeo is then by his beloveds side and because he can’t live without her he takes ...

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