Who Is Responsible For The Deaths Of Romeo And Juliet Essay

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The course of love is often filled with tangles and misfortunes. In the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, various crucial factors are responsible for the tragic end of the protagonists. Friar Lawrence, Romeo, and numerous agents of fate are involved in incidents which directly cause the death of the tragic heroes.
As the father figure of Romeo, Friar Lawrence fails to guide him in his journey of love. In various parts of the play, Friar Lawrence makes the incorrect decisions which lead to chaotic events that create misunderstandings. After the balcony scene, Friar Lawrence allows the marriage between Romeo and Juliet: “(Friar Lawrence)In one respect I’ll thy assistant be:/ For this alliance may so happy prove.”(2,3,90-91). The marriage is settled without informing the households, resulting in …show more content…

My master is the great rich Capulet, ...
I pray come and crush a cup of wine.
(1,2,80-82)
This minor character leads to the party scene where Romeo and Juliet met, and if Romeo and Juliet never seen each other, the rest of the tragedy will not be happening. Another crucial agent of fate is Balthahar. Upon discovering the death of Juliet, Balthahar immediately tells Romeo about this news: ”(Balthahar) I saw her (Juliet) laid low in her kindred’s vault,/ And presently took post to tell it you.”(5,1,20-21). If Romeo does not receive the information from Balthahar, he will not rush to Capulet’s tomb, and therefore preventing the tragic end.

As the tragic hero of the play, Romeo’s action and personality also directly affects the ending of the story. Many of his reckless behaviors results in unfortunate events which leads to the catastrophe of the play. After the Tybalt kills Mercutio, Romeo grows furious and slays Tybalt for revenge:

(Benvolio)
...Romeo,
Who had but newly entertain’d revenge,
And to’t they go like lightning, for ere I
Could draw to part them, was stout Tybalt slain,
And as he fell, did Romeo turn and

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