Who is to Blame in Romeo and Juliet?

Who to Blame for the Deaths of Romeo and Juliet

The deaths of Romeo and Juliet didn't really need to happen, as it

wasn't them, but the people around them that were fighting and

disagreeing. Romeo and Juliet did their best to keep out of the

violence but the people around them such as family friends and the

local community that were making them unhappy.

Romeo is a young teenager of the Montague Household, who falls in love

with Juliet, a Capulet whose family are ancient enemies of the

Montagues. He likes to blame misfortune for everything that goes wrong

after he kills Tybalt, he then realises how serious his actions were

but prefers to blame fate rather than himself.

"O, I am fortunes fool" (Act 3 Sc 1)

Killing Tybalt was Romeos biggest mistake as it led to him being

banished from Verona and that meant that he couldn't see Juliet

anymore without the risk of being caught. Romeo can't be blamed for

killing Tybalt as he was determined to fight with Romeo and when he

refused Mercutio stepped in, they fought and killed Tybalt. Later when

Balthasar tells Romeo the news of Juliet's death he says "Then I defy

your stars" (Act 5 Sc 1). I think this means he isn't going to let

fate determine what happens to him anymore.

It seems that Romeo is either not afraid or just doesn't care about

his actions in the balcony scene he risks being caught by the nurse

and then again in Juliet's bedroom when Lady Capulet is looking for

her.

Juliet is a Capulet not yet fourteen. She is gentle, loyal but is very

clever and has a strong mind when she first meets Romeo she falls for

him instantly. She asks him to marry her knowing full and well ...

... middle of paper ...

...ting,

It is a most sharp sauce" (Act 2 Sc 4)

Mercutio is loyal to Romeo, he steps in when Tybalt challenges him.

His death is a turning point in the play for if he hadn't died things

could of turned out differently. I don't think he can be put to blame,

as he never knew about the relationship.

The Prince rules Verona but he doesn't do enough. He makes threats but

never carries out any actions. He had the chance to enforce the death

penalty on Romeo but he didn't. If he had tried harder to stop the

feuding it might not have got out of hand.

In this essay I hope I have shown that there isn't one character to

blame but everyone played a part. I don't think you can put it down to

fate and I think that Romeo and Juliet did their best too make things

work not forgetting that they are both young and inexperienced.