Who is to Blame in Romeo and Juliet?

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Recommended: Analysis of the story of Romeo and Juliet

Shakespeare's play of “Romeo and Juliet” is well known, and leaves the audience asking: Who is to blame for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet? Most of the play’s characters closely related to Romeo and Juliet carry some responsibility, but there are three characters or groups who had the greatest influence on the story’s outcome. Friar Laurence could be blamed for marrying them and keeping it secret. Juliet’s nurse encouraged Romeo’s pursuit of Juliet, even helping Juliet sneak out to marry. Last and most deserving of blame, however, are the parents, Lord and Lady Capulet and Lord and Lady Montague. If not for the family feud and hatred, Romeo and Juliet would’ve lived, not tasting the bittersweetness of death.
Since some might argue Friar Laurence shoulders most of the blame, an explanation is in order. Friar Laurence’s motives were revealed in scene two.
“For this alliance may so happy prove, To turn your households' rancour to pure love.”
(Act 2 Shakespeare) He wanted the Capulets and Montagues to reconcile, and believed Romeo and Juliet’s marriage would solve this. The Friar’s intentions were good, but other events were out of his control. He did not foresee Tybalt killing Mercutio and Romeo avenging Mercutio’s death resulting in Romeo’s banishment. When Lord Capulet decided Juliet was to marry Paris, the Friar complicated things more by devising a plan for Juliet to be with Romeo. Again, his plan failed. Romeo acted rashly, killing himself moments before Juliet wakes. When Juliet discovered Romeo, Friar Laurence made another error by leaving her in a suicidal state. Even though many may find fault with the Friar, he is really only guilty of trying to make things better for everyone and bring peace to Verona.
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...Which, but their children's end, nought could remove.....” (Shakespeare)
An ancient grudge and parents too blinded by hatred to break it, bear the ultimate blame for the tragic death of Romeo and Juliet. Friar Laurence was just attempting to mend the rift between two households. Nurse desired to make Juliet happy. The parents were selfish and could not get over their enmity with each other, and their children suffered the repercussing consequences. Bombarded by the indecision of all, Romeo and Juliet were free-spirited, love-struck, and young. Sadly it was their deaths, not love or marriage that finally brought the two houses together and Verona peace.

Works Cited

Hylton, Jeremy. "Romeo and Juliet: Entire Play." Romeo and Juliet: Entire Play. The Tech, MIT's Oldest and Largest Newspaper, 1993. Web. 21 May 2014. http://shakespeare.mit.edu/romeo_juliet/full.html

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