The Tragic Deaths of Romeo and Juliet

The Tragic Deaths of Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet, two young and helpless star-crossed lovers that deal

with war, rivalry, death and tragedy throughout the play. Whom is to

blame for the traggic death of both? Their raging parents that are

never settled? Friar Lawrence that married them both? The old nurse

that cares for Juliet? Or is it all just bad luck and a coincidence?

Shakespeares' intention of the play suggests that everything is all

down to Fate and the stars. Right at the start of the play, the

Prologue says that Romeo and Juliet are doomed to die.

''From forth the fatal loins of these two foes

A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;'' Prologue 5 and 6

This suggests that the Prologue is saying the stars control Romeo and

Juliet's lives, and the stars are against them. This is similar to

astrology - believing you can read what will happen in the pattern of

the stars. Romeo seems overly obsessed with the idea that the stars

control everything. The first time he mentions it is when he's talking

to Mercutio on the way to the Capulets' party:

''...my mind misgives

Some consequence yet hanging in the stars

Shall bitterly begin his fearful date

With this night's revels'' Act 1, Scene 4, 106-109

Romeo is a dreamer and believes in the stars determine everything.

''And shake the yoke of inauspicious stars

From this world-wearied flesh.'' Act 5, Scene 3, 111-112

Romeo has just found Juliet and thinks that she is dead. He is about

to kill himself, and says he wants to be free from his unlucky stars.

He is saying in this quotation that even if he does not choose to kill

himself now, Fate wil...

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... Once the Nurse starts talking it is really hard to stop her. She

repeats herself over and over again:

''O day, O day, O day, O hateful day!

Never was seen so black a day as this.

O woeful day, O woeful day!'' Act 4, Scene 5, 52-4

When Romeo and Juliet fall in love, they're taking a big risk. It goes

against the whole feud. Juliet warns Romeo against her own family:

''If they do see thee, they will murder thee.'' Act 2, Scene 2, 70

It's incredibly dangerous for them to be together - they have to get

married in secret. But there's hope that their love will somehow be

stronger than the feud.

He helps because he hopes the wedding will end the feud:

''In one respect I'll thy assistant be.

For this alliance may so happy prove,

To turn your households' rancour to pure love. Act 2, Scene 3, 90-92