The Tragedy of Verona

In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet commit a tragic act, suicide. However, this act is not only the tragedy of two lovers, but the whole city of Verona. Likewise, the renowned poet and writer, W.H. Auden argues, "The tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is not simply a tragedy of two individuals, but the tragedy of a city. Everybody in the city is one way or another involved in and responsible for what happens." For example, in order to solve a Rubik cube, the mini cubes or “cubelets” must fit together to play their part in the overall outcome of solving the puzzle. Similarly, this concept applies to the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. Indirectly, the tragedy of the star-crossed lovers is an effect of the citizens in Verona. Romeo and Juliet’s death were avoidable and could have been prevented. The mistakes performed by Prince Escalus and Friar Lawrence and the feud between the families remain as the main reasons for Romeo and Juliet’s misfortune. Additionally, no action was implemented to resolve the feud between the families, only plans were proposed. Consequently, the citizens of Verona are affected by the feud, and as a result, are involved with the events of the play. Prince Escalus and Friar Lawrence both play a part in the tragedy that falls upon Romeo and Juliet. Without the Prince and the Friar, the story would be a whole new ball game. These two characters implement several unwise decisions, which result in the death of Romeo and Juliet. For example, the Prince threatens to execute both families of the Capulets and Montagues if they decide to disturb the streets of Verona once again. Prince Escalus delays the ban against the feud, resulting in future outbreaks between both families. The...

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...es was non-existent, then Romeo and Juliet would not commit survive and would live happily together, married in peace. The feud between the two families was preventable. However, no action was implemented to resolve the feud between the families, only plans were proposed. As stated earlier, the Prince threatened to execute all the members of the families in the Montague and Capulet households the next time they disturbed the streets of the city. He also proposed a ban on the feud between the families. The Prince delayed the ban against the feud, and should have put the ban into action after the first outbreak. The ban acted as a resolution the feud. If this ban had been put into effect, then Romeo and Juliet would not have had to lose their lives. Thus, the family feud could have been avoided, and Romeo and Juliet would not have had to sacrifice their lives.