What aspects contribute to the tragedy of 'Romeo and Juliet'?

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What aspects contribute to the tragedy of ‘Romeo and Juliet’?

 

The play is introduced by a Prologue, describing two households “both alike in dignity”.  The first aspect

that contributes to the tragedy of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is the feud between the two families; the House of

Montague and the House of Capulet. The quarrelling runs through the whole of the family from the top,

the Lords and Ladies, down to the servants and the branches of the family, friends and cousins. The

reason for the quarrelling is not known and it is referred to only as an “ancient grudge”. This fighting also

disturbs the peace in the quiet streets of Verona, “where civil blood makes civil hands unclean,” which

also indicates that the blood of civilians is being spilt. In the Prologue it speaks of the fate that has

decreed to be unkind to Romeo and Juliet and will make their love end in death. This is shown through “a

pair of star-crossed lovers take their life,” and “death marked love”. The Prologue states what

will happen in the end, “with their death bury their parents’ strife,” which tells us that the death of

Romeo and Juliet will stop the quarrelling between the two families.

Tybalt is fiery, aggressive and determined to fight anyone from the Montague household.  He detests “talk

of peace” and continues, “I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee” (Benvolio).  The violence portrayed in this

first scene will unavoidably worsen because Tybalt’s irresponsible attitude shows his disregard for the

fatal consequences of his hatred. The antipathy between the two families increases until it becomes so

grave the Prince has to intervene to restore law and order.

Juliet's character also contributes to the tragedy because she is willing to do anything that her parents want, until she meets Romeo. This compliance, ignoring her true feelings, since she is not in love with the County Paris, lends itself to tragic consequences. The plot of the play is twisted when the illiterate servant asks Romeo to read the letter for the Capulet party. When he reads this letter, he notices that Rosaline is on the list, with whom he is in love and so responds to. In addition, Benvolio, Romeo’s friend, says that he will cure Romeo of his heartache about Rosaline, “compare her face with some that I shall show and I will make thee think thy swan a crow.” Although Romeo insists he will never see anyone to match the beauty of Rosaline, his decision to go to the Capulet party is a further contributory factor. Despite Romeo's fearful misgivings, “my mind misgives some consequence yet hanging in the stars shall bitterly begin his fearful date with this night’s revels”, and premonition of death, resulting from going to Capulet’s feast, “by some vile forfeit of untimely death”, Romeo is prepared to accept his fate.

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At the masked ball, Tybalt recognises Romeo’s voice and, furious that he has gate-crashed the Capulet party, he wishes to pick a fight.  He asks for his sword, “fetch me my rapier, boy”.  Old Capulet then contributes to the tragedy by putting Tybalt down and says, “he shall be endured”, showing his iron will and his protectiveness of his authority.  This makes Tybalt more annoyed with Romeo because he feels rebuked and so his grudge is worse when he looks for him the next day, seeking revenge.  Shakespeare shows the magnitude of Tybalt’s anger, comparing it to “bitt’rest gall”, ...

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