Who is to Blame in Romeo and Juliet?

Shakespeare wanted to attract many different audiences into his play,

Romeo and Juliet and figured that there is a part of life that effects

and therefore attract many people: love. Shakespeare achieves such an

entertaining play from many different sources. These include; in 1530,

Luigi da Porta set a famous story in Verona and two real families

Montechi and Capelletti lived in Cremona where there were regular

brawls. Shakespeare moulded the play into a tragedy, which was

possibly something that could have been avoided. However there were

many causes that lead to the death of the two lovers taking their

lives. The character’s actions are possibly mostly to blame. Or was it

simply one character to blame?

Romeo obviously had many friends but one in particular: Mercutio. He

at times made life a struggle for Romeo, who felt unwanted due to

Mercutio’s carelessness of not thinking before saying. In particular

he teased Romeo about Rosaline, which made Romeo’s blood boil. Not

only did he tease Romeo but also he made the feud between the families

worse.

“I am for you” Act 3 Scene 1 Line 75

This is where Mercutio pushes Tybolt of Capulet into fighting. Of

course Mercutio dies, therefore Romeo makes Tybolt neutral with

Mercutio by taking his life. Romeo leaves feeling guilty which makes

him want to give Capulet back his love to then neutralise his soul.

Not only did Romeo have one close friend but two close friends.

Benvolio pushed Romeo through the story.

“Examine of the beauties” Act 1 Scene 1 line 2

Benvolio also teases Romeo making him look at other women as an option

for his love. If he hadn’t asked Romeo to look at other women than

Rosaline, would have Romeo meandered into loving Juliet and falling

into a blind death?

The family in which Benvolio, Mercutio and Romeo are part of is the

Montegue family.