Culpability Causes Death
Romeo and Juliet have lived of lived happily together for the rest of their lives. If only some of the characters had more common sense. Many of the problems occurred because of the characters actions. If some of the characters’ from Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet had more common sense, Romeo and Juliet could have lived happily together. If some of the characters had taken more time, many moments in this play occurred on the spur of the moment. In the very last line of the play, the prince of Verona explains that everyone is to blame for the death of Juliet and her Romeo. The love story of Romeo and Juliet ended tragically; still, some characters were found more guilty than others. Three characters who are most likely of blame for the death of the two star-crossed lovers.
Friar Lawrence was most to blame for the tragic end of the play. One example of how Friar Lawrence is to blame for Juliet’s death, is when he left her all alone in the tomb when he heard the watchmen coming. The Friar was just a coward. He was more worried about what would happen to him and how he might get arrested. Rather than making sure Juliet is alright after she found Romeo lying dead next to her, the Friar should of comforted Juliet, not run away. If Friar Lawrence stayed with Juliet, she most likely would not of killed herself in the tomb. Another example of how Friar Lawrence is to blame for Romeo and Juliet’s death occurs when he gives Juliet a potion that will make her look dead. The Friar is responsible for everything that happened to Juliet after she takes the potion. The Friar was trying to help Juliet, but his plan backfired, and the potion was the biggest flaw in the play. The Friar was just trying to help Juliet but he should of been more careful and made sure the message got to Romeo in time. A final example of how Friar Lawrence is to blame for Romeo and Juliet’s death is when the Friar marries Romeo and Juliet. The Friar didn’t think it would be a good idea for Romeo and Juliet to get married, especially so young and without a family’s permission. Yet the Friar married them anyways. The Friar married the two, he hoped that it would bring the two households, the Montagues and Capulets together. ‘Thy love did read by rote, that could not spell. But come, young waverer, come go with me, In one respect I’ll assistant be: For this alliance may so happy prove to turn your households’ rancour to pure love’ (II.iii. 90–92). In conclusion, Friar Lawrence cause a majority of problems in the love story of Romeo and Juliet if he had never married the two lovers, the story would not of ended in death.
The next characters who are to blame for Romeo and Juliet’s death are the Capulets. Lord and Lady Capulet put so much pressure on their daughter to find a husband, and to start a family of her own. Juliet’s mother wants her to marry Paris or, she implies she wants Juliet to die. Juliet knows if she refuses to marry Paris she would be forced to live on the streets and beg for food. Ultimately this would cause her to die of starvation. Juliet agrees to marry County Paris, after she is already married to her love Romeo. This is when things get all messed up for the two lovers. Another example of how the Capulet are to blame for the story of Romeo and Juliet is when Juliet’s father moves up her and Paris’ wedding date. Her father did not know about Friar Lawrence and Juliet’s plan to leave Verona. Now Juliet’s plan to run away with Romeo is ruined. Lord Capulet thinks he is doing a good thing for his daughter,by encouraging Juliet to marry Paris. This is Lord Capulet’s way of showing his love for Juliet. Unfortunately, this only encouraged Juliet’s decision to end her life.
The final character who was to blame for the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet was the nurse. The nurse was the first character to know about the two lovers, and she did nothing to stop it. This shows that she is more faithful to Juliet, then she is to the Capulet family. The nurse had a big impact on the relationship of Romeo and Juliet, because she was Juliet’s messenger to Romeo. Another example of how the nurse was to blame for Romeo and Juliet’s relationship, was when the nurse was the one who went to Romeo to tell him that Juliet was waiting for him, in her room on their wedding night. The nurse searched for Romeo even after he had just killed Juliet’s cousin, Tybalt. The nurse still thought Romeo was a good husband for Juliet, even after he killed his wife’s cousin. A final example of how the nurse is to blame for the tragedy is because when Juliet’s parents decided to force Juliet to marry Paris, the nurse encouraged it. At this point in the play, Juliet knows that no one supports her and Romeo anymore, she feels so alone. This is a heartbreaking scene because she has to choose between her husband or her family. Juliet’s says “If all else fail, myself have power to die” (III.iv 242). The nurse felt such guilt she cried when Juliet died.
In conclusion, the story of Romeo and Juliet had many issues. Some of the problems were fate. Many could have been prevented if they characters had thought about the effects of their actions. If some of the characters had thought about their actions and communication with each other, with decision making, maybe the two lovers could have lived happily together. However, because of the Friar, Nurse’s involvement in the relationship, and the pressure the Capulets put on Juliet to marry County Paris. Charged with murder, these three characters in the city of Verona should be held accountable for the death of Romeo and Juliet.
