Romeo And Juliet

Romeo and Juliet essay.

Who was to blame for Romeo and Juliet's tragic death?

The tragedy of 'Romeo and Juliet' , written by William Shakespeare in the late 16th century is about how two young people from conflicting families meet and fall in love. 'Romeo and Juliet' is one of Shakespeare's well known plays. In 'Romeo and Juliet' Shakespeare in the prologue stats that they will both die 'A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life' this shows that Romeo and Juliet will die in the end. Shakespeare does this to take the tension off if they would die or not onto the message in which William Shakespeare would like to put across about how all the fight against the opposing families are ended by the deaths of their children, Romeo and Juliet. In 'Romeo and Juliet' there are several characters that play a part in Romeo and Juliet's death, some of the characters were more responsible then others. In this essay I will be analysing 4 different characters, Tybalt followed by Fair Lawrence, Nurse, and Romeo, for who could be to blame for their tragic death.

To begin with Tybalt is Juliet's cousin, the nephew of lord and lady Capulet. He's Juliet's favourite cousin. He is a very violent character in this play. In my opinion Tybalt is partly to blame for their death, as he's mainly the one always looking for a fight with the Montague's. At the begging of the play he starts a fight with Benvolio for no reason. This already gives us the expression that there is more feud to come, as Tybalt has already given us the appearance how evil and aggressive he is towards the Montague's.

"What drawn, and talk of peace? I hate the word as I hate hell, all Montague's, and thee-have at the coward" -act 1 sc 1 ln 68-6

This quote tells us that Tybalt hates the Montague's and is against peace. He would rather fight then taking the sensible option and just have peace with the Montague's. But this quote obviously tells us that Tybalt is not a friendly person and causes a lot of problems through out the play, and is partly responsible for their death.

We all know by now Tybalt is a very aggressive man and very short tempered,

"To strike him dead, I hold not a sin"

This shows us that Tybalt won't give up till he can fight Romeo. Seeing that he looks at this feud as a game and enjoys fighting and most of all he enjoys the differences between the two families.

Another reason why Tybalt could be blamed for their death is since he's always up for a fight even tough it is not necessary. But as we all know Tybalt's character, he would do anything to battle the Montague's. For example, at the party Tybalt saw Romeo, Benvolio, Mercutio and other Montague's.

"Patience perforce with wilful choler meeting makes my flesh tremble in their different greeting. I will withdraw: but this intrusion shall now seeming sweet convert to bitter gall" -act 1 scene 5 line 88

Even though only a day has passed since Prince Escales had threaten both families, for not Tybalt is possessed to kill Romeo for the only reason that he gate-crashed his family party. Tybalt rushes to tell his uncle about Romeo's intrusion, as he wants the Montague's out of the party. However Lord Capulet doesn't really mind as long as they all stay out of trouble. But Tybalt did not listen to what his uncle had told him at the party.

"I content thee gentle coz, let him alone..."

He did this again after the party, when confronting Romeo,

"Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee, doth much excuse the appertaining rage, to such greeting villain a an none there fore farewell, I see thou knowest me not..."

After this had been said, this leads Tybalt killing Mercutio as Tybalt wanted to fight Romeo, but regrettably in a mistake he had killed Mercutio. Yet Mercutio did not know that Romeo had married Juliet, therefore there wasn't any reason for him to back down for tybalt. By Mercutio teasing and repartee Tybalt, this lead him being the first person to die in the play. This lead Romeo to kill Tybalt has his saw his best friend lying dead in front of him. However by killing Tybalt, Romeo was forced to flee the city.

Tybalt's actions might have caused their death as Tybalt started all the war with the two families. This shows how the feud and hatred to each other has escalated to such a level that neither party can be civilised with one another in public.

The nurse is treated as one of the family member, which makes her one of the important member in the family. The nurse is like a mother to Juliet, she has a stronger bond with her then Lady Capulet.

"This is the matter Nurse give leave a while, we must talk in secret" -act 1 scene 3 line 10

Like any other mother, they would want to talk to their child alone in private, so lady Capulet makes the attempted to talk to Juliet but she fails to persuade her about the situation, so she has to call back the nurse.

"Nurse come back again" -act 1 scene 3 line 10

This indicates us that Lady Capulet can't talk to her own daughter on her own, and she needs the nurse to be there to support her with her toughts. This shows that the nurse is a trust worthy and will understand Juliet and will make her understand the situation as she's raised her up like her own daughter.

The nurse is like a mother to Juliet, which puts her in a very important place In Juliet's life. Someone who should be responsible for her and take care of her.

"ere at night shall be forgotten" -act 1 scene 3 line 18

This tells us that the nurse knows Juliet's age much better then Lady Capulet. This tells us that the Nurse has been a better mother, than Lady Capulet. This clearly shows us that the nurse is very important in Juliet's life.

The nurse could be blamed for their death as she might be influencing Juliet to get married to Romeo to quickly.

"Thou will fall backwards when thou comest of age...." - act 1 scene 3 line 57

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