Who Is To Blame In Romeo And Juliet

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Romeo and Juliet
In William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet, the impulsive decisions and poor guidance expressed by Friar Laurence unintentionally lead the young lovers to their deaths. Through elements of plot, characterisation and language, Shakespeare positions the audience to attribute blame to Laurence. Laurence, being the figure of religion, should be expected to give guidance and provide wisdom. However, he directs Romeo and Juliet to act in immoral ways. Laurence foretells his effect on the pair through metaphors, but he lacks the foresight to protect the young lovers and guide them to safety. When reading the play from a modern perspective, it becomes evident that these actions and choices executed by Laurence lead the young lovers to the tragic finale.
Shakespeare not only foreshadows, but clearly states the conclusion of Romeo and Juliet, testifying that they are “star-crossed …show more content…

This is evident in their irrational and careless decisions. However, Laurence, being the figure of religion and trusted advisor, should be expected to give guidance and provide wisdom. He must, therefore, accept the majority of the blame, despite other characters and forces such as fate, interfering with Romeo and Juliet’s romance. When Laurence develops the plan for Juliet to fake her death, he fails to successfully inform Romeo. ‘Shall Romeo by my letters know our drift; and hither should he come; and he and I will watch thy waking’ (act 4, scene 1, line 114). He follows saying, ‘in this resolve, I’ll send a Friar with speed’ (line 124), meaning he sends another friar to tell Romeo the plan rather than delivering the information personally in a safer way and confirming the plan before poisoning Juliet. While Laurence does not intentionally bring harm on Romeo and Juliet, if he prearranged their escape with more care and foresight, their death could have been

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