Romeo and JulietThroughout the classic story of Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare suggests that other characters' actions held them responsible for the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet's deaths. Without the unintentional mistakes made by Friar Laurence, or the irrational and harsh behavior of Tybalt and Lord and Lady Capulet, Romeo and Juliet would not have lead themselves into suicide. Therefore, they all made themselves accountable for this tragedy.Friar Laurence's decisions and actions, even though made with the best intentions, has disastrous consequences for Romeo and Juliet. Friar only wants for the Capulet and Montague households to get along and be at peace. "For this alliance may so ha ...view middle of the document...
He had earlier sent a letter to Romeo explaining Juliet's plan to fake her death and that they would meet up again at her tomb. However, the letter never came through to him because of the shortcomings of Friar John. "The letter was not nice, but full of charge, / Of dear import; and the neglecting it / May do much danger/...Within three hours will fair Juliet awake. / She will beshrew me much that Romeo / Hath no idea of these accidents" (V. iii. 18-20, 24-26). Because Romeo never received the important letter, he thinks that his fair Juliet is dead. After hearing the news from Balthazar, he goes to visit her tomb to see for himself and finds her lifeless body. Having no more reason to live, he drinks to his death, leading Juliet to awake and then kill herself on account of his death. If Friar Laurence had been more responsible in making sure Romeo received the message, they would have still lived. Therefore, because of the careless mistakes he made, Friar took an active role in the deaths of both Romeo and Juliet. There were other characters, however, that were made responsible because of their harshness and violence toward Romeo and Juliet.Tybalt, because of his temper and of the foolish brawls he forces upon Romeo, also takes on accountability for Romeo and his cousin's death. Throughout the story, Tybalt is constantly starting fights with the Montague household. In their second serious fight, Tybalt slays Mercutio,White, 3Romeo's best friend, which later leads to Tybalt's own death. This has devastating effects on Romeo, considering he was the one to murder him. "And for that offense/ We immediately do exile him hence. /...I will be deaf to pleading and excuses; / Nor tears nor prayers shall purchase our abuses. / Therefore use non. Let Romeo hence in haste, / Else, when he is found, that hour is his last" (III. i. 188-89, 194-97). Prince here condemns Romeo into exile for the death of Tybalt. This leads to a big problem for Romeo and has a lot to contribute to Romeo and Juliet's deaths.Upon hearing his doom, Romeo becomes very upset. "There is no world without Verona walls, / But purgatory, torture, hell itself. / Hence banished is banished from the world, / And world's exile is death. Then 'banished' / Is death mistermed" (III. ii. 17-21). Ironically, what Romeo says is true. His abandonment eventually does lead to his death. Because Romeo is not at his home, Friar had to send him the letter in the first place, which he never...
