Whos to blame for the deaths for the Deaths of Romeo and Juliet

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Alishba Danish

Who’s to blame for the deaths for the Deaths of Romeo and Juliet

In this essay I will address the question for, who’s to blame for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. William Shakespeare (1564-1616.)   Shakespeare is well acknowledged for his understanding of human nature and for writing exceptional poems. 1594 allegedly is the date assigned to the writing of Romeo and Juliet, however we know, it was first performed on 1595. The story of Romeo and Juliet was taken from the poem “The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet” written by Arthur Brooke 1562. However the original story possibly was copied by the Greek novelist Xenophon 4th Century AD. It was first published in 1597 during the first stage of Shakespeare’s career.  By this time he was 30 years old he got married to Anne Hathaway in 1582 and had 3 children. Shakespeare’s themes in his plays are mostly love, hate and comical. In 1594 he wrote Richard II, Henry IV 1 & 2, and Henry V. He had an extraordinary theatrical career and was on its way to success. Within in same duration of time he had been acting in London for 5 years. Romeo and Juliet is a Tragedy. This includes a tragic flaw, weakness or excess or arrogant ambition (hubris) leads to downfall. The effect of this, the catastrophe, on the spectators is the emotions of pity and terror through what they have witnessed (Catharsis.)

 To describe the play as a tragedy in these terms is perfectly rational only in part. Even though the secret love affair only lasted 5 days; Sunday evening until Thursday. The fact that Romeo and Juliet fall in love is hardly a tragic weakness.  The responsibility for their own downfall lies outside the characters’- Fate intertwined with the “star-crossed lovers” in astrology means “ill-fated”. However it is also the family feud rather than any moral weakness that leads to the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. In the prologue we learn of “fearful passage of their death un-marked love.” So already we are aware that there is going to be a tragedy over their infatuation for each other. It is also states that the “star-crossed lovers” take their life. This shows how their desire for one another is the cause of their death; this is the only way their “parents” rage” will end. This is an example of true love. Shakespeare’s portrayal of Romeo and Juliet emphasizes the power of love.  The Prologue tells the story in advance. This foreknowledge allows the audience an overview of the actions of Romeo and Juliet’s which ties in with Catharsis. However a Shakespearean audience loved having a feeling of tension and loved watching distressful scenes, also scenes with some sort of sexual innuendo. This is displayed in the first act between Samson and Gregory. “Women being the weaker vessels are ever to thrust to a wall; therefore I will push Montague’s men from the wall, and thrust his maids to the wall.”

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This leads on to the Patriarchal society in which Shakespeare grew up in, this defines, men were the more dominate gender and were in higher status, women or girls were not worthy of doing many things in Shakespearean times they were stereotyped as the typical house wife, They did not have many privileges . Also arranged marriages were perfectly normal at that time, for a 14 or 15 year old to get married was perfectly common in society and you did not have a choice or no say in the matter. You could not rebel against your parents or it ...

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