The Role Of Balthasar Responsible For The Death Of Romeo And Juliet

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Death; a simple and even worrisome word to some. When one thinks of death, old age may come to mind. But why do young lives such as Romeo and Juliet get lost so soon when they are surrounded by people who know them so well? In Romeo and Juliet, known to many as William Shakespeare's most tragic, and arguably, ironic plays where two rival descendants fall into a deep passion for each other against their family feuds, and later kill themselves due to negative events and influences around them. Balthasar, the man of Romeo, claimed partial responsibility for the death of Romeo and Juliet. Though Balthasar had small interaction with Romeo and Juliet throughout the play, his actions encouraged the suicide of the lovers. Balthasar visited Romeo …show more content…

After Romeo retrieved the poison, he was later reunited with Balthasar at the tomb of Juliet. Here, Romeo demands Balthasar does not follow him by emphasizing “And do not interrupt me in my course./Why I descend into this bed of death/ is partly to behold my lady’s face, /But chiefly to take thence from her dead finger a precious ring…” (5.3.27-31) Balthasar responds by simpling obeying his master and tells him what he wants to hear, “I will be gone, sir, and not trouble you.” (5.3.40) At this time, Balthasar fully understands that Romeo plans to commit suicide. Romeo tells him to deliver a letter of apology and explanation to his father and wishes the good fellow farewell. By leaving Romeo be while being in the know of his future actions, Balthasar proves himself as a trustworthy friend but displays that he could have prevented the death of Romeo and Juliet. Thus, further events in the play could have potentially been the man’s …show more content…

Balthasar did not search for help from higher forces such as Friar Lawrence, Benvolio or anyone else relatively close to the inconstant Montague. In Act 5, scene 3, Friar Lawrence was going to the tomb where Juliet was stirring to consciousness as the sleeping potion was wearing off. Because Romeo had not received the letter, the friar assumed he had to be present to retrieve Juliet from the tomb when she woke up, hopeful and confused by why Romeo was not there. Friar Lawrence then was approached by the problematic Balthasar who informed him of Romeo’s thought process, state, and location. He then tells the holy friar that Romeo has been in the vault for a half an hour. Friar Lawrence then tells Balthasar to investigate the vault alongside him. With one with his personality, Balthasar declines out of Romeo’s past request to not follow him and proclaims “I dare not,sir/My master knows not but i am gone hence,/And fearfully did menace me with death,/if I did stay to look on his intents” (5.3.135-38). Therefore, it is told that Romeo threatened Balthasar that is he stayed to watch Romeo drink poison he too would die. Through fear, the forced level of obedience was not beneficial in this matter. Because Romeo is not put to a halt, he dies instantly from the toxic poison. Juliet awakes to his empty body lying next to her and decides to stab herself with her late

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