Romeo and Juliet's Deaths

Romeo and Juliet's Deaths

Right from the first page in the book, it becomes apparent that this

story will end badly. The two families 'ancient grudge' is the first

insight of many under-lying occurrences, each one having a fundamental

influence on the end result. Blame is a strong word of accusation that

can only be used once a thorough understanding of events has been

established. Hence, to blame only Romeo and Juliet would be biased, as

they alone cannot be held responsible. There are many other factors,

which may be blamed for the tragedy that separately have little

consequence. It is only when these factors are combined, that such an

outcome can be achieved.

The prologue describes Romeo and Juliet as 'a pair of star-crossed

lovers,' as though the stars had already mapped out their fates. Fate

is signalled throughout the play by an intricate series of

premonitions. These premonitions give a clear foresight of the deaths

of Romeo and Juliet. In Act 2, Friar Lawrence says, "These violent

delights have violent ends, and in their triumph die." This is a clear

description of the fate of Romeo and Juliet. A little later in the

play, Juliet says, "Methinks I see thee, now thou art so low, as one

dead in the bottom of a tomb." This foreshadows that Juliet will find

Romeo dead in a tomb. To further accentuate this premonition, Romeo

says, "I dreamt my lady came and found me dead." It is obvious that

Shakespeare did not intend to hide these premonitions in the lines

that spoke them, and thus the reason why they give a clear foresight

towards the fate of Romeo and Juliet. One extremely coincidental point

in the play is when Capulet sends the servant who cannot read to

invite people to his party. Out of all the citizens in Verona, the

servant happens to bump into Romeo first and asks him to read the

invitation. This is how Romeo discovers about the Capulet ball, and it

is at this party that Romeo and Juliet fall in love.