One of the things that make humans human is our flaws but flaws are by no means a good thing it stumps growth in humanity as a whole and hurts individuals. Flaws makes even the best of people lose their good judgment. In Romeo and Juliet (RJ) a tragedy by William Shakespeare the main two characters Romeo and Juliet both commit suicide because of their unfortunate mistakes. Romeo and Juliet’s tragic deaths are the effect of their own human flaws, not fate or other high powers. On the contrary, it could be said that their lives and deaths were destined. Elizabethan beliefs were mostly influenced by astronomy but Shakespeare had a mixed view. Shakespeare as an Elizabethan believed in fate but he also believed in Aristotle's hamartia. Elizabethans …show more content…
believed in fate but he also believed in fate and higher powers controlled their life. These beliefs were reinforced by the church, who believed that God has a set-out plan for each individual.According to Shakespeare's world and works (SWW), “... Elizabethans firmly believed that their lives were influenced by supernatural forces”(119) Elizabethans believed that their lives were not in their control which would be reasonable for that time period. Many people did not have social mobility which could have contributed to this feeling. Also, Elizabethans were very religious and believed in the bible and its teachings that God has made a set path for them. In Shakespeare's plays, he includes many references to fate to relate to his audience. But Shakespeare also included references to human flaw As stated by Erin Flow, a literary blogger, “He definitely went against the mainstream by suggesting one's fate can be changed by one's actions (free will)” (2). In Shakespeare's time, the common belief was the belief in the stars but Shakespeare included some notions of free will in his play which made readers question their beliefs. Aristotle was an important greek philosopher in ancient times. His writings were revered and are continued to be studied today. Flow claims, “Aristotle's theory that one's fate is determined in part by hamartia or fatal flaw… one’s fate can be changed by one’s actions” (2). In Elizabethan times this idea would be cast away as foolish or non-religious, even though Aristotle and others had believed this for hundreds of years before the Elizabethan era. Elizabethans blinding belief in fate was their fatal flaws. Not believing you are in control of your life allows you to be controlled. Elizabethans beliefs were mostly influenced by fate but scholars and writers like Shakespeare understood that there could be other things that determine the course of one's life. The characters in Romeo and Juliet believe that they are controlled by fate but when you look at the facts it is the complete opposite. Romeo, Juliet’s and others death in this play are not brought upon by chance but rather human flaw. The feud is the whole reason we have the play. Without the sparring families, Romeo and Juliet would be allowed to marry and would’ve never died. The feud is what starts the play and is ended by the lovers. This feud caused so much unnecessary bloodshed when both sides don’t even understand what they are fighting about. “Two households both alike in dignity (in fair Verona where we lay our scene), From ancient grudge break to new mutiny” (RJ Prologue. 1-3). According to Bert Cardullo a literary critic “... it is not chance but character that drives the play’s tragic workings; specifically he says, it is the consistently impulsive behavior of several main characters that leads to fatal mistakes and bloodshed” (60). The feud is truly human flaw. Both sides made the disastrous decision to keep this ancient grudge alive when they know it is causing bloodshed and that it has even made the Prince angry. All the bloodshed in this play is all tied back to the feud and both sides did not fully understand the repercussions of their actions until Romeo and Juliet killed themselves. The feud also brought upon the duel between Romeo and Tybalt because they are enemies, which in turn leads to Romeo being banished and having the Friar come up with his disastrous plan. The feud caused many major events in the play that affected the outcome and ultimately brings about the lovers deaths. Romeo and Juliet, having just met the night before, decide to get married as soon as possible because their love for each other is so great they want to be together forever. Romeo asks Friar Lawrence if he could marry them. At first Friar Lawrence is skeptical of Romeo and Juliet's so called loves. But in his hurried judgment believes that their union would be a good thing for the feuding families and does not think of the repercussions their union would bring about. The friar agrees, “For this alliance may so happy prove To turn your households’ rancor to pure love” (RJ 2.3.98-99). Cardullo states, “...he acts without considering fully the possible consequences of such a secret marriage between members of feuding families. Ironically, he violates his own dictum: ‘Wisely and slow; they stumble that run fast’ ”(65). Friar Lawrence an adult figure in Romeo and Juliet's lives acts here like a child. Friar Lawrence may have thought that this would be good overall for the feud, but he is an adult he should have at least told their parents that they wanted to be married. It's irresponsible for the Friar to forget that Romeo and Juliet are just children not pawns in a chess game.
Romeo is devastated when Tybalt kills Mercutio and when he was once advocating for peace he soon turns to violence. Romeo in a rage of anger and heedlessness runs after Tybalt to avenge his friend's death. Romeo’s fatal flaw is his impulsiveness and it is what brings his downfall. Romeo declares, “Now, Tybalt, take the ‘villain’ back again… Staying for thine to keep him company. Either thou or I, or both, must go with him”(3.1.130-134). As Flow asserts, “Romeo’s fatal flaw is impetuousness… He presents this fatal flaw again when he kills Tybalt Juliet's cousin”(3). Romeo makes many decisions in the play that help bring his and Juliet’s death. Many of Romeo’s decisions are made in haste and are not in the best interest of the two lovers. Romeo’s fatal flaw, carelessness is evident time and time again in the play but his hasty decision to kill Tybalt is arguably the most reckless. When Romeo kills Tybalt the chance of the lovers ever being able to be together is slim to none. Romeo killing Tybalt also starts the chain of events that lead to their deaths. It leads Friar Lawrence to come up with a foolish plan to prevent Juliet from killing herself the first time. The foolish plan ends up making
Romeo again act incautiously after hearing that Juliet is dead and act incautiously again and decide to kill himself. This one imprudent action by Romeo starts a chain reaction that ultimately leads to their untimely deaths. Romeo’s disastrous battle with Tybalt is a turning point in the play. When Romeo kills Tybalt he ruins his chance to be with Juliet. Afterward, when Romeo realizes this he is quick to blame a higher power rather than take responsibility for his actions. Romeo cries, “O, I am fortune's fool!” (RJ 3.1.42). According to Lois Kerschen a literary critic “He surrenders himself to the guidance of the gods not just out of piety but perhaps because he shirks responsibility” (261). Throughout the play, it is evident that Romeo believes in because of he often references it in his life. Romeo’s believes in fate but not for the right reasons. Believing in fate can mean that the person is very pious and believes God has a path for them, or it’s someone who does not want to be held responsible for their foolish actions. Romeo is the latter. Romeo being so impetuous obviously makes many mistakes and time and time again we don’t ever see him own up to the mistakes but blame fate or others. Before killing herself in the end Juliet has already proven that she is willing to kill herself. In the tomb when she wakes up and sees Romeo dead she has already decided that she needs to kill herself to be with him. Her love and passion for Romeo bring about their death. Friar Laurence does nothing to help Juliet even though he knows she is willing to kill herself. Juliet proclaims “O, happy dagger, This is thy sheath. There rust and let me die” (RJ 5.3.174-175). Claimed by Kerschen “...her innocence and the intensity of her love are her downfalls”. Juliet’s nature is not like Romeo’s, she is cautious and more levelheaded. But when she is with Romeo her love for him allows her to do things that she normally would never do. Her passion for him is so great that her sensible and prudent ness has disappeared and she makes decisions based on her desire to be with Romeo. Her fatal flaw is the intensity of which she loves Romeo, a man she met five days ago, and this fatal flaw is her killer. Friar Laurence's letter never arrives at Mantua and Romeo after hearing the false news from Balthasar that Juliet is dead Romeo turns into a crazed person acting more reckless than he ever has before. The friar soon realizes that Romeo is going to go to Juliet's tomb but not for the plans original reason. Romeo’s and Friar Laurence's brashness is again affecting both Juliet’s and Romeo’s lives. “Here's to my love. O true apothecary, Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die” (RJ 5.1.119-120).“In the end, it was their own actions that brought about their deaths” (3), according to Flow. At the end of the play all the bad decisions Romeo, Juliet, and Friar Laurence had made early are finally going to kill the two lovers. Friar Laurence's inability to get the letter to Mantua, in turn, makes Romeo unaware and a danger to himself and others. Romeo acts like a madman because now Romeo doesn’t care if he lives or dies he believes Juliet is dead and there is nothing worth to live any more. Romeo and Juliet are not star-crossed lovers their decisions and the decisions of those around them affect their life negatively and in the end, they both are dead because of them. Although there is significant evidence that Romeo and Juliet’s deaths are caused by human errors one cannot ignore the other argument. It is thought by some that Romeo and Juliet’s fate is already determined before they are even born. Both Romeo and Juliet believe heavily in fate. Their belief of fate is first-hand nature to them, they would never think that they could control their own actions and their destiny is already chosen for them. It seems that Romeo and Juliet are correct in their thinking because as much as all the characters try to stop their own destiny their fate still comes upon them in the end. Romeo purported “I fear too early, for my mind misgives Some consequence yet hanging in the stars Shall bitterly begin this fearful date With this night's revels, and expires the term Of a despised life closed in my breast By some vile forfeit of untimely death But he hath steerage my course Direct my sail” (RJ 1.4.114-118). Flow states “The characters choose these actions of their own accord without force or influence from someone else nothing has forced their actions except their ability to choose for themselves what they desire” (3). The idea that it could be fate is impossible once you review the facts. Every decision Romeo or Juliet makes is exactly that their decision. They come upon their own decisions because of their own judgment. Their judgment is in many times impaired because of
Did you know that Romeo and Juliet was one of the biggest love story of all time. Romeo and Juliet is a story of two star-crossed lovers from two families the Capulets and the Montagues. The Capulets and the Montague had a big fight that made the families very angry at each other. Romeo and Juliet decide to get married. The two couple marry and run away. In the process both of them will die. When it comes to Romeo and Juliet who are the top three people that caused the two to die. The two people that are chosen are Friar Lawrence and Lady Capulet. Friar was chosen because he is the one that married Romeo and Juliet. Lady Capulet was chosen because she is forcing Juliet to marry Paris which is making Juliet want Romeo even more. The third thing
Tybalt caused this death by getting mad and taking revenge on Romeo. When he took revenge on Romeo, it meant he also, displayed immaturity to his faithful cousin, Juliet. Tybalt and Juliet grew up together. They had a close relationship. Tybalt took that away from them. The fact of the matter is, you shouldn’t be messing with love and happiness. Both Romeo and Juliet had that, and it was not to be punctured. Tybalt punctured
Romeo senses tensions are high with Tybalt, so he states, “I do protest I never injured thee but love thee better than thou canst devise.” (Lines 65-66 Act Three, Scene One). Romeo is trying to diffuse the situation because he realizes that Tybalt is his love's cousin. Mercutio is surprised by Romeo’s behavior, so he decides to fight Tybalt himself. Mercutio’s decision to fight Tybalt leads to his own death. Romeo is angered by the death of Mercutio and states, “Now, Tybalt, take the “villain" back again/ That late thou gavest me; for Mercutio’s soul.” (Lines 123-124 of Act Three, Scene One). Romeo is indicating that Tybalt is the villain now, because he slayed Mercutio. Romeo forgets about his attempt to befriend the Capulets and slays Tybalt. Romeo, murderer of Tybalt, solely focuses on Juliet and states “Ha, banishment? Be merciful, say “death"/For exile hath more terror in his look.” (Lines 12-13 of Act Three, Scene Three). Romeo does not care about Tybalt’s life, but only cares for the way it affects his relationship with Juliet. Romeo’s mother dies out of grief because of his banishment. Romeo’s recklessness in loving Juliet has led to the death of three
When the play begins, Romeo is heartbroken over Rosaline, but then he meets Juliet and after only hours he proposes marriage to her. The way that Romeo so quickly and full-heartedly falls in love shows how emotional he is, but also portrays his impulsivity which in this case is driven by his love of love, not necessarily his love of Juliet. After witnessing, his best friend, Mercutio’s death he is furious and his emotions take over. He proposes a duel to his best friend’s killer, Tybalt. Without regard for consequences, Romeo kills Tybalt in an emotional
Romeo fights and kills Tybalt just because Tybalt slays Mercutio, despite knowing the consequence of fighting -death- he still takes it upon himself as a way to seek repentance for Mercutio’s death. He is able to restrain himself before the death of Mercutio but after his death Romeo falls to his impulsiveness and fights Tybalt. After killing Tybalt and getting banishment instead of a death sentence, Romeo refuses to look on the bright side and goes to Friar Lawrence where he says “Ha, banishment! Be merciful, say ‘death’.” (Act 3, Scene 3 line 12), this shows that he deems life without Juliet life not worth living. He then continues weep then decides to take his own life, the Friar stopped him but had Romeo stopped being so quick to make decisions he would have realised banishment is much better than death and would be rejoicing instead of weeping. Romeo hears about Juliet's “death” from his servant Balthasar he instantly decides to kill himself, he doesn't mourn his loss or even cry, he simply buys poison, rides to Verona and kills himself. Had he spoken to anyone and taken any advice he would realize that suicide is not the answer but he had his mind made in a minute, he wanted to be dead with his wife. Romeo impulsiveness to make decisions is a very important characteristic for him to have and for the rest of the
Of all the things that occur in Romeo and Juliet, the death of Tybalt is one of the most climatic parts of the story. Yet, this all started from another killing of a different person, Mercutio. Mercutio, a relative of the Prince and friend of Romeo, and Tybalt, nephew to Lady Capulet and Mercutio’s arch enemy, were in a heated conversion when Romeo walked in after getting married to Juliet and saw what was going on. Tybalt and Mercutio began to fight and Romeo tried to come in between them to stop the whole thing. Unfortunately, as Tybalt was under Romeo’s arms, he stabbed Mercutio and he died soon after. In all the rage, Romeo was furious that his friend was dead and starts to fight with Tybalt. Eventually, Romeo slays Tybalt and he falls to the floor and dies. Romeo runs away in agony before the Prince soon arrives at the scene of the fight with all the other citizens that were awakened by this fray to see what happened. Although Romeo is guilty of homicide, he is charged for manslaughter as he unlawfully killed a person in the heat of passion while defending Mercutio’s honor.
As already shown, both Romeo and Juliet are horrified to discover that they were family enemies. Despite of this, they both choose to devote their love for eachother. Given this point, it is unrequited love that brings Romeo and Juliet together. But this also means that they would have to get over the fact that their families hate each other. This eventually leads them to forgiving the rival family for all the hateful acts that have occurred against one another. This is not the only forgiveness that is experienced in this play. Tybalt is a Montague with a fiery attitude. After catching Romeo at a party he was not supposed to be at, Tybalt had it out for Romeo. Just after Romeo and Juliet’s wedding, Tybalt comes looking for him wanting to fight. Romeo does not want to fight because he now loves Tybalt since he is family to him, but neither Tybalt or anyone else knows this reason. Quickly Mercutio steps in and tells Tybalt that he will fight him in honour of Romeo. Sadly this leads to the death of Mercutio. Romeo is angry and in need of revenge, which creates an intense fight between Tybalt and Romeo. Romeo wins this battle, killing Tybalt. He leaves in a hurry, only to discover that he would be banished from Verona. The death of Tybalt is absolutely devastating to Juliet. Her cousin was murdered by her husband. But she did not hesitate to forgive Romeo, she did so right away. She knew that Romeo had a reason for this incident and decides to
Through the flaws in the characterization of his characters, Shakespeare allows their weakness to manipulate and cloud their judgment. This fundamentally leads to the outcome of Romeo and Juliet, with each weakness presenting a conflict that alters the characters fate. Being especially true with the star-crossed lovers, William Shakespeare leads their perfect love into tragedy with these conflicts. In Romeo and Juliet, Juliet, Friar Lawrence, and Tybalt all contribute to conflicts that enhance the plot. From destructive flaws in their characterizations, Juliet, Friar Lawrence, and Tybalt are all consequently controlled by their weakness, therefore affecting the outcome of the play.
Romeo expresses his new forced love for Tybalt, his now cousin-in-law, and refuses to fight him. Mercutio, thinking that Romeo is being a coward by avoiding any chance of fighting, decides to fight Tybalt for Romeo instead. This fight results in two deaths: the death of Tybalt, and the death of Mercutio. Tybalt, dying at the hands of Romeo indicates that his death was inevitable but, Mercutio’s death could have been prevented. If Friar Lawrence had not married Romeo and Juliet, Romeo, would not have been a part of the Capulet family, meaning that he would fight Tybalt, sparing Mercutio’s life. Romeo expresses a second reason why he did not fight, “O sweet Juliet,/ Thy beauty hath made me effeminate/ And in my temper softened valor’s steel!”(III.i.109-111), Romeo was clearly softened by Juliet’s presence which was reinforced by their marriage. Their bond would have been weaker without the marriage, this would suggest that if Romeo was not married, he would f...
...ing the mistake he had made. Mercutio’s death was the cause of Romeo killing Tybalt and it was Tybalt’s fault for killing Mercutio. Thererfore Tybalt provokes Romeo to reveal his anagorisis. Furthermore, the moment Romeo realizes his tragic act is when he kills Tybalt. After Romeo slays Tybalt he claims he is “fortunes fool” (III.I. 99). In regards to this Romeo claims he has awful luck and fate is against him because it was fate that lead Romeo to this misfortunate situation. Through this quote it is seen that Romeo feels remorseful which then verifies that he understands he did a regretful act. Therefore, this proves Romeo is a tragic hero because he had realized his fatal act (anagorisis). Due to the fact that Tybalt reminds the audience about Romeo’s mistakes and foolish actions, Tybalt inevitably acts as a foil character that accentuates Romeo’s anagorisis.
The day after he spotted Romeo at a party hosted by his family, he went out looking for him – and a fight. He accidentally murdered Mercutio, Romeo later killed him for revenge. Juliet, rather than being upset by Tybalt’s death, sobbed for Romeo, who was banished for the murder. The misunderstandings regarding Juliet’s grief led to a marriage she felt she could only escape by faking her own death. While Tybalt was not immediately involved in Juliet’s ‘death’, he played such a major role in starting the events that would ultimately lead to it that he must be deemed partly responsible.
Romeo’s decision to kill Tybalt is an example of Romeo’s irrationalism because the fight could have been avoided. Furthermore, this fight banished Romeo from Verona which resulted in many more situations which all led to the death of Romeo and Juliet. Next, when Romeo drank the poison next to Juliet, he was very quick to act. This terrible decision killed Romeo himself, and once Juliet woke up, she was also quick to stab herself, causing her to quickly die. Lastly, Friar Lawrence did not properly think through his plan to give Juliet the potion which would mimic her death because the message to Romeo did not arrive, causing Romeo to kill himself. In conclusion, these characters are held responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet instead of
“When anger rises, think of the consequences” (Confucius). Romeo’s action of killing Tybalt would have been different if he had thought of how the outcome would affect his relationship with Juliet. Romeo never had the realization that bad choices lead to bad consequences until after he committed the offense. He created the problem of being separated from Juliet for longer than he could ever know. In addition to that, Romeo also let his vexation consume him, and lost control of his discernment. Romeo’s decision to kill Tybalt had most directly caused the tragic events in the play because he did not take time to think about what he was doing.
Everyone is to blame for the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. Romeo, Juliet, Friar Laurence, and Romeo and Juliet’s parents all played their own role in causing the four deaths of Romeo, Juliet, Tybalt, and Paris. It is not just one of them to blame, every one of them did something to cause the tragedy. Some of them played a bigger role than others, but everyone contributed. Fate had nothing to do with it and it was all the different characters faults. Romeo, Juliet, and Friar Lawrence’s rash decisions where the main cause of the tragedy.
This rash decision also caused Juliet and Romeo pain and disappointment. “When something bad happens to one you love, something bad also happens to you. If a loved one is hurt or disgraced, you are hurt; if something wonderful happens to her, you feel better off. ”(“Love’s Bond”, Robert Nozick) If that is true when loving someone, Romeo evidently made the wrong decision to kill Tybalt.