Who was to blame for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet

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Joseph Gayle         Form10A        Candidate Number

English Assessment

Romeo and Juliet

Who was to blame for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet?

 ‘Romeo and Juliet’ was set in Verona and tells the tale of two young lovers who fought against all odds to be united with each other. Tragically, both Romeo and Juliet lose their lives at the end of the play but were their deaths self motivated or were they the end result of somebody’s actions? If someone was, who was to blame for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet? It may have also been that the force of fate was involved in making sure that Romeo and Juliet never lived ‘happily ever after’ or that certain characters would help insure that the relationship shared between the two ended up in complete chaos. Whoever or whatever, it appears that something was responsible. This essay will analyse and review on most of the situations that may have had a role in the deaths of Romeo and Juliet, but will examine closely; the fatal feud between the Montagues and Capulets, the mysterious bond between fate and the couple and the overall role of the cleric who only wanted peace, Friar Lawrence.  

Indications in the play are constantly hinting that fate might have been involved within the relationship shared between the young lovers. For example, the prologue states that:

 ‘a pair of star-cross’d lovers take their life.’

 This could mean a variety of reasons but the most important being that the prologue mentioned Romeo and Juliet as ‘Star cross’d’ basically outlining the loves as opposites, hinting to the audience the misfortune and danger to soon enter their lives. Also in the 16th century most people believed that fate and destiny controlled their lives and understood the second indication when the prologue explained their relationship as ‘death-mark’d love’ also hinting that the love shared between the two was destined for tragedy.

One of the characters who seemingly has a strong belief in fate is Romeo. He demonstrates this attitude when he is feeling uneasy about attending the Capulet ball when he says ‘I fear, too early; for my mind misgives. Some consequences, yet hanging in the stars, Shall bitterly begin his fearful date With this night’s revels and expire the tem Of a despised life clos’d in my breast, By some vile forteit of untimely death.’(Act 2 Scene 1Line24). This shows that Romeo was already having second thoughts about attending the ball and Shakespeare may have included this to warn and prepare the audience for something that would be destined to happen at the ball if Romeo decided to go.

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Romeo also seemed to be giving off the impression that fate was controlling his destiny when he said ‘then love-devouring death do what he dare.’ Act 5 scene1 line24). In this quote it seems that Romeo is challenging fate as he suspects that it is controlling the relationship between him and Juliet. He believed that if the love shared between him and Juliet led to death then it would be an act of fate. When Romeo discovers that Juliet has died he declares ‘Is it even so? Then I defy you stars.’ (Act 5 Scene1 Line24). When their love ...

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