Romeo and Juliet
By: Anna • Essay • 526 Words • November 30, 2009 • 893 Views
Essay title: Romeo and Juliet
Topic: Prince Escalus announces that "Some shall be pardon'd, and some punished" at the end of Romeo and Juliet. Clearly identify and discuss THREE (3) characters who were responsible for the tragic outcome of this play.
William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet tells the tale of two star
crossed lovers who end their lives because of their love for one another.
Rash unadvised decisions, meddling, and dueling matches were the primary
factors that affected Romeo and Juliet's deaths. The people who are
responsible for their passing are: Friar Laurence, Tybalt, and Romeo himself.
Through their actions, not only were they the main causes of Romeo and
Juliet's deaths, but they had also caused suffering throughout the city of
Verona.
Friar Laurence appeared to be helping Romeo and Juliet, but he was
planning and scheming for his benefit. He was against performing their
marriage until he thought about how it would stop the fueding between the
two households, not even thinking that Romeo and Juliet actually loved one
another. "For this alliance may so happy prove, to turn your households'
rancour to pure love." (II,iii,94-95) He gave Juliet a potion to make it appear
as if she were dead, but never really thought the plan through. He was too
rash. He didn't predict Friar John (who had the letter stating to Romeo all of
the Friar's arranged plans) might get held up. "But he which bore my letter,
Friar John, was stayed by accident, and yesternight, returned my letter
back." (V,iii, 256-258) Overall, Friar Laurence was short-sighted, and if his
plans had gone according to his predictions, they might have lived.
Capulet's pugnacious nephew, Tybalt hates Montagues, so naturally,
Romeo would fit the criteria. "I hate the word as I hate hell, all Montagues
and thee," (I,i,60-61) His anger had finally boiled over when Romeo had
attended the Capulet's ball. He had wanted to straighten him right then but
the