Amala Nayak
Romeo and Juliet Tragedy: Who is to blame?
Love that is not enjoyed in moderation can only be doomed for tragedy. Romeo and Juliet is a drama about two passionate lovers who pledge their affection for one another despite their families’ harsh rivalry. Throughout the story, there are several outside forces that make numerous unwise decisions and are to blame for the expiries of these ill-fated lovers. Often, readers immediately point fingers at Friar Lawrence. William Shakespeare illustrates that although Friar Lawrence and Nurse’s actions primarily contribute to the devastating deaths of Romeo and Juliet, the real ones to blame are Capulet and Montague. Friar Lawrence appears to readers as the most responsible for the tragedy due …show more content…
The two lords of the disputing houses can be perceived as the root cause of the tragic event in the drama. If the families had let go of their grudges, Romeo and Juliet would not have had to conceal their affection from their families. Since the feud is such a serious issue, the young couple feels the need to keep their love a secret. As a result, the friar would not have to create a plan for their escape. Juliet cries, “My only love sprung from my only hate…that I must love a loathed enemy” (1.5.140-143). Juliet expresses that she is not allowed to love Romeo just because he is a Montague, who is her family’s greatest enemy. The Capulets’ reaction to Juliet’s refusal to marry Paris induces Juliet to follow Friar Lawrence’s plan. Her parents believe that arranged marriage is the only way to ease Juliet’s “grief” over the death of her cousin Tybalt. Rather than reasoning with her, they threatened to disown her if she did not obey them. This miscommunication is one of the largest influences on the couple’s deaths. The lords finally recognize their mistake at their children’s funeral. They realize that had they resolved their dispute earlier, Romeo and Juliet would not have passed
Romeo and Juliet Tragedy: Who is to blame?
Love that is not enjoyed in moderation can only be doomed for tragedy. Romeo and Juliet is a drama about two passionate lovers who pledge their affection for one another despite their families’ harsh rivalry. Throughout the story, there are several outside forces that make numerous unwise decisions and are to blame for the expiries of these ill-fated lovers. Often, readers immediately point fingers at Friar Lawrence. William Shakespeare illustrates that although Friar Lawrence and Nurse’s actions primarily contribute to the devastating deaths of Romeo and Juliet, the real ones to blame are Capulet and Montague. Friar Lawrence appears to readers as the most responsible for the tragedy due …show more content…
The two lords of the disputing houses can be perceived as the root cause of the tragic event in the drama. If the families had let go of their grudges, Romeo and Juliet would not have had to conceal their affection from their families. Since the feud is such a serious issue, the young couple feels the need to keep their love a secret. As a result, the friar would not have to create a plan for their escape. Juliet cries, “My only love sprung from my only hate…that I must love a loathed enemy” (1.5.140-143). Juliet expresses that she is not allowed to love Romeo just because he is a Montague, who is her family’s greatest enemy. The Capulets’ reaction to Juliet’s refusal to marry Paris induces Juliet to follow Friar Lawrence’s plan. Her parents believe that arranged marriage is the only way to ease Juliet’s “grief” over the death of her cousin Tybalt. Rather than reasoning with her, they threatened to disown her if she did not obey them. This miscommunication is one of the largest influences on the couple’s deaths. The lords finally recognize their mistake at their children’s funeral. They realize that had they resolved their dispute earlier, Romeo and Juliet would not have passed