Who Is Responsible For The Deaths Of Romeo And Juliet Essay

The course of love is often filled with tangles and misfortunes. In the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, various crucial factors are responsible for the tragic end of the protagonists. Friar Lawrence, Romeo, and numerous agents of fate are involved in incidents which directly cause the death of the tragic heroes.

As the father figure of Romeo, Friar Lawrence fails to guide him in his journey of love. In various parts of the play, Friar Lawrence makes the incorrect decisions which lead to chaotic events that create misunderstandings. After the balcony scene, Friar Lawrence allows the marriage between Romeo and Juliet: “(Friar Lawrence)In one respect I’ll thy assistant be:/ For this alliance may so happy prove.”(2,3,90-91). The marriage is settled without informing the households, resulting in

miscommunications between the parents and the children. Capulet family later arranges another wedding between Juliet and Paris, however Juliet can no longer marry Paris due to the marriage between Juliet and Romeo. This hectic event, the story is accelerated, and like what Friar Lawrence says before:”(Friar Lawrence)..they stumble that run fast.”(2,4,94). To avoid the wedding between Juliet and Paris, Friar Lawrence gives Juliet a mixture which will fake her death for a period of time:
(Friar Lawrence)
Take thou vial, being then in bed,
And this distilling liquor drink thou off,
...
No warmth, no breath shall testify thou livest,
The roses in thy lips and cheeks shall fade,
...
Thou shalt continue two and forty hours,
And then awake as from pleasant sleep.
(4,1,93-106)
However, the message of this plan is not successfully delivered to Romeo, therefore causing Romeo’s misperceptions, which lead to the death of the couple.
Various agents of fate also contribute to the ending of the play. In the beginning of the story, a servant informs and invites Romeo to the Capulet’s party:
(Servant)
Now I’ll tell you without asking.

My master is the great

rich Capulet, ...

I pray come and crush a cup of wine.

(1,2,80-82)

This minor character leads to the party scene where Romeo and Juliet met, and if Romeo and Juliet never seen each other, the rest of the tragedy will not be happening. Another crucial agent of fate is Balthahar. Upon discovering the death of Juliet, Balthahar immediately tells Romeo about this news: ”(Balthahar) I saw her (Juliet) laid low in her kindred’s vault,/ And presently took post to tell it you.”(5,1,20-21). If Romeo does not receive the information from Balthahar, he will not rush to Capulet’s tomb, and therefore preventing the tragic end.

As the tragic hero of the play, Romeo’s action and personality also directly affects the ending of the story. Many of his reckless behaviors results in unfortunate events which leads to the catastrophe of the play. After the Tybalt kills Mercutio, Romeo grows furious and slays Tybalt for revenge:

(Benvolio)

...Romeo,

Who had but newly entertain’d revenge,

And to’t they go like lightning, for ere I

Could draw to part them, was stout Tybalt slain,

And as he fell, did Romeo turn and

fly.
(3,1,166-170)

The death of Tybalt causes the banishment of Romeo from Verona, which later makes it difficult for Friar Lawrence to inform Romeo with the plan, and ultimately resulting in Romeo’s misinterpretation of the “death” of of Juliet. After knowing the death of Juliet, Romeo buys a bottle of poison and kills himself in the Capulet’s tomb:”(Romeo) Here’s to my love! O true apothecary!/ They drugs (poison) are quick. Thus with a kiss I die.”(5,3,119-120). As a result of this impulsive action, not only he ends his own life, but also causes the death of Juliet as well. If Romeo verifies this information with Friar Lawrence, the deaths will be prevented.
In conclusion, Friar Lawrence, Romeo, and the agents of fate are responsible for the death of the protagonists. Those individuals causes events which directly leads to the catastrophe of the play.