Who is to Blame in Romeo and Juliet?

I don’t believe one particular person or circumstance is to blame for

the death of the lovers in Romeo and Juliet, but a combination of

history, circumstance, fate and personality lead the lovers towards

tragedy. In terms of history and circumstance we must remember that in

the sixteenth century, marriages were arranged. The play would

therefore be considered very wrong in Elizabethan times as the couple

are marrying without their parents consent. This is a very important

point to be considered because the lovers rebel against custom and

history in choosing each other. This is the major cause of their

deaths.

The family feud in the story means that nearly everything that happens

in Verona ends in violence. This means that Romeo and Juliet had no

chance of a successful marriage if they told their families about

their love for one another. They are going against convention and

against their families’ wishes. The feud is highly to blame for the

deaths of the two lovers as it is responsible for the secret marriage,

Romeo’s banishment, and for the Friars scheme. The families are both

involved in the family feud, therefore can be held partly responsible

for the deaths of the lovers. Romeos parents are a lot less pushy than

Juliet’s parents. When Romeo is banished from Verona, it makes Lady

Montague so unhappy she dies of grief. Juliet’s parents are pushy

social climbers who want her to marry Paris, a rich and influential

nobleman related to the Prince of Verona. If Juliet and Paris marry,

then Paris will be family and have to help the Capulets. This is why

Capulet is so keen for the wedding to happen. Although the marriage is

arranged, when Paris is dying he asks to be placed in the tomb next to

Juliet, proving that he did love her but perhaps in a quieter way than

Romeo.

People who could also be blamed include Friar Lawrence. Although Friar

Lawrence’s intentions were good, he shouldn’t have suggested such a

dangerous plan, he was playing with the lover’s lives.