I was hurt under your arm
Act 3, Scene I, Line 102/3
Tybalt is an aggressive person full of anger, which he can release on the Montagues to uphold the pride and joy of his family the Capulets. His view of the Again at the ball when he overhears Romeo Tybalt is angered and looks for his sword but is luckily stopped by Lord Capulet. Tybalt states that killing Romeo it will not come back to haunt him, but make him hold up his head high with joy,
To strike him dead I hold it not a sin.
Act 1, Scene 5, Line 58
Here we can see that Tybalt’s fury not only fuels the feud, but Tybalt is always looking for trouble and he must always get his way. He tries to make fun of Romeo by saying things like the following below whilst talking to Mercutio (Romeo’s Best Friend),
Romeo, the love I bear thy can afford
No better term than this - thou art a villain.
Act 3, Scene I, Line 59/60
These words above, exhibit Tybalt’s feelings towards Romeo. Lastly, he challenges Romeo to a duel. Mercutio steps in but Tybalt is not happy to fight him as he awaits Romeo,
Well, peace be with you, sir. Here comes my man
Act 3, Scene I, Line 55
Romeo attempts to sort out the situation peacefully, as he is now married to Juliet and in reality half a Capulet but Tybalt is not interested. In his anger over the death of his dear friend Mercutio, Romeo takes revenge and in his anger kills Tybalt. I think Tybalt should take some blame in the tragedy, as it was his actions that killed Mercutio, which in turn led to his own death and Romeo’s banishment.
This leads me on to my next character Mercutio who I also think is responsible for the deaths. Mercutio is an energetic character who tries to resolve Romeo’s problems and advise him in a cheerful way, he says to Romeo,
Thy wit is a very bitter sweeting; it is a most sharp sauce.
Act 2, Scene 4, Line 79/80
He is loyal to Romeo, this is evident, when he steps in when Tybalt challenges him. His death is a turning point in the play as Romeo, then avenges his death by killing Tybalt. All these deaths add more fuel to the fire. When Mercutio was dying his last words I think very important and in a way again reflect fate,
Help me into some house, Benvolio,
Or I shall faint. A plague o’ both your houses!
They have made worms’ meat of me: I have it,
And soundly too. Your houses.
Act 3, Scene I, Line 105/8
He is saying a plague on both of their houses as he is implying a curse on both the families because no one is helping him and worms’ meat of me means that Tybalt had made him a dead man.
My last but not least character I thought was to blame is Friar Laurence. Friar Laurence’s interference in his agreeing to marry Romeo and Juliet caused a lot of problems. His intentions were for the best, but as they say ‘the road to hell is paved with good intentions’. Friar Laurence’s plan for Romeo and Juliet was for Juliet to take a potion to make her seem, as if she was dead on her wedding day. She would then be taken to the Capulets’ vault. After this has all gone to plan Romeo would receive a letter from the Friar, which would tell him to return to Verona from Mantua and would be with Juliet when she wakes up.
Give me, give me! Oh tell me not of fear!
Act 4, Scene I, Line 121
The line above is what Juliet is saying to the Friar that she desperately wants that potion, but at the same time she feels quiet scared. The Friar is warning her.
The Friar is a man with good intentions but is confident to make risky decisions by Romeo and Juliet, such as agreeing to marry them without their parents’ consent. I think he gets too caught up and it is then left up to him to make sure that everything goes smoothly as planned, which it does not.
Friar Laurence decides to go ahead with the marriage instead of consulting both families because he has a good reason for this,
To turn your households’ rancour to pure love.
Act 2, Scene 3, Line 88
The Friar is thinking that if Romeo and Juliet marry it could bring peace to both families, which would stop this feud and bring the families close together. Though the Friar is concerned about what Romeo is doing, he tells Romeo he should slowdown and not rush about getting consent. Romeo and Juliet married without parental consent.
The plan to bring together the families, which all goes wrong when Romeo is banished for killing Tybalt. This time the Friar makes another plan that is as risky as the first. Romeo is to go to Mantua where he will then try to arrange a meeting between Romeo and Juliet. The plan goes wrong and fate is accused,
Unhappy Fortune!
Act 5, Scene 2, Line 17
I do not think that the deaths of Romeo and Juliet really were down to one single person. EXPAND
