The feud between the Montague’s and Capulets is another important reason why Romeo and Juliet’s relationship failed. The Feud has been going on longer than any can remember, described in the chorus as an “Ancient grudge” and nobody can remember why it started. Almost everything in the play is dominated by the feud and its power over the youth. This is apparent from the start in the first scene where the third public brawl between the two families, the fight being amongst the youngest family members. This causes the Prince to place the death penalty on anyone Montague or Capulet that starts the next public fight and this or course eventually leads directly to the downfall of the relationship, in Romeo’s banishment.
Tybalt himself is a great deal responsible for the death of Juliet and especially Romeo. When Tybalt sees Romeo at the Capulet party he is ready to ”I not endure him” but old Capulet refuses so Tybalt is pent up with anger and revenge. He sends a letter to Romeo asking for a dual and this is to the death, whereas if Tybalt had removed Romeo from the party Romeo would not have died. So if Romeo didn’t, in Capulet’s mind, have good reputation, I don’t think he ever would have died.
At the party when Romeo first sees Juliet, he removes his mask from his face and Tybalt recognises him. Tybalt is furious and immediately goes to Capulet saying that he cannot stand the presence of a Montague intruding into his family’s party, but Capulet has a different approach to the problem. He says, “To say truth, Verona brags of him, to be a virtuous and well govern’d youth” Admitting that Romeo has a very good reputation and he is causing no trouble. Tybalt is filled with rage and defies Capulet and says, “I’ll not endure him”. Capulet is livid with Tybalt and can’t control his fury and actually slaps him. Tybalt cannot bear being embarrassed so he seeks revenge on Romeos, which leads to his death and in turn the downfall of Romeo and Juliet’s relationship.
Shortly after the fight citizens appear on the scene following Tybalt’s death and having witness the whole thing. And can tell the entire story although Benvolio is the one who confesses all to the watch (the police force at that time). Romeo is extremely lucky to escape the death penalty, and the only reason he does is because he killed Tybalt as vengeance for the death of Mercutio; who was the prince friend and kinsman. But he is banished from Verona’s Walls. While everybody says he is lucky to escape death he doesn’t see it like that because he sees banishment as worse that death because he’ll have to live a life without Juliet which would be more torturous than death ever could be.
In conclusion I feel that the main cause to the failure of Romeo and Juliet’s relationship were the acts of fate and the actions of Tybalt through out this tragedy. Also the eternal feud between the two families and the strong influences on Romeo from the Friar and on Juliet from the Nurse contribute enormously to the downfall of this hidden romance.
Jonathan Pearson 10L
