Who Is Responsible For Romeo And Juliet's Death

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There are many characters in The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet who are responsible for their deaths. In the beginning of the play, we learn that these two star-crossed lovers were destined for misfortune from the start. The Montagues and the Capulets have been warring families for many generations. Throughout the story, Romeo and Juliet were forced to keep their forbidden love a secret from their friends and families. This caused them to act out of desperation and ignorance. Romeo and Juliet are responsible for their own deaths because they acted impetuously and forced their relationship which ultimately led to their tragic end.
Romeo’s and Juliet’s impulsivity led them to make fateful decisions that drove them to kill themselves. In Act I, scene v, Juliet says, “My only love sprung from my only hate” (Shakespeare 396). When Juliet says this, it shows how quickly she learns to love …show more content…

One opposing view to Romeo’s and Juliet’s death is that Friar Lawrence is responsible. “Take thou vial, being then in bed, And this distilled liquor drink thou off.... Shall Romeo by my letters know our drift; Will watch thy waking” (Shakespeare 453-454). Friar Lawrence marries Romeo and Juliet in secret thinking the marriage could bring the two families together. When Romeo is exiled, Juliet goes to the Friar, and out of desperation, he forms a plan that has little chance of working out. “Here’s to my love! [Drinks.] O true apothecary! Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die… O happy dagger! This is thy sheath; there rust, and let me die” (Shakespeare 473-475). Romeo and Juliet are the ones who killed themselves and made the decision to not live without each other. Friar Lawrence is not there to stop either of them or talk them out of killing themselves. Their desperate actions and childish thoughts are what led them to take their own

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