Who is to Blame for Death in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

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Who is to Blame for Death in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

Beliefs are rested on the idea that fate killed Romeo and Juliet.

People at this time also believed in arranged marriages. However many

people and things can be considered to have increased the risk of

their deaths therefore who or what is to blame for the deaths of Romeo

and Juliet?

Friar John must take some of the blame for their deaths, as the

failure of the letter reaching Romeo is his fault.

I could not send it- here it is again-

Nor get a messenger to bring it thee, (5.2.15).

Consequently this letter fails to reach Romeo and therefore the lovers

are split, not knowing what is happening and ending up with them both

killing themselves. If this letter had been delivered the couple may

still be alive. However Friar John explains to Friar Laurence that

So fearful were they of infection. (5.2.16).

This tells us that the failure of the letter not reaching Romeo is a

mistake as people are anxious about the infection, which they may

catch. In the play Friar John has a very small role, but nevertheless

must take a part of the blame.

The Prince has to be fair and look at both sides of the arguments,

which take place between the two families this is his job. When the

fight between Mercutio, Tybalt and Romeo breaks out he tells both

sides of the families,

Immediately we do exile him hence (3.1.187)

With Romeo banished for killing Tybalt, this splits the two lovers up.

Without this parting both Romeo and Juliet would probably still be

alive. The decisions, which the Prince makes, are legitimate, he has

to take both views into account. Because Tyb...

... middle of paper ...

...epares and sets up the plan for Romeo and Juliet to

be together again. With more persuasion he could have stopped Juliet

killing herself, but he worries about getting the blame. The Friar has

definitely contributed to the deaths of Romeo and Juliet.

I think that everybody in the play is partly to blame for the deaths

of Romeo and Juliet. The play is a tragedy and each character adds to

the catastrophe. I also think that Romeo and Juliet are to blame for

their own deaths. Some characters have only a small part of the blame

such as Friar John and the Prince, whereas others take a large part of

the blame such as the Nurse and Friar Laurence. I don't think

individually one person is responsible. No one intends to kill Romeo

and Juliet- most people are either trying to help the couple or aren't

aware of what is happening.

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