Romeo and Juliet Essay
Who or what is to blame for the tragic outcome of Romeo and Juliet?
Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet depicts the story of two star-crossed lovers from feuding families who, after a series of fateful events, choose to take their own lives rather than live without each other. The tragic outcome of Romeo and Juliet can be blamed on Friar Laurence, the family feud and the impulsive actions of Romeo and Juliet. Friar Laurence makes several irresponsible decisions throughout the play such as his unwise plan to reunite the lovers. The family feud forces Romeo and Juliet to marry under secrecy and the decisions they make in order to hide their love lead to their tragic deaths. The rash decisions made by Romeo and Juliet also contribute to the ill-fated outcome of the story.
The tragic outcome of Romeo and Juliet can partly be blamed on Friar Laurence and the irresponsible choices and actions he makes. When Juliet is overcome with grief at Romeo’s banishment, Friar Laurence should act as a reliable and responsible adult, providing her with good advice. Instead he gives Juliet the extreme option of faking death, telling her that ‘it is likely thou wilt undertake a thing like death to chide away this shame’ (A4 S1 L73-74). He considers her situation shameful and convinces her that to take the poison is a suitable option. This action leads on to the deaths of both Romeo and Juliet. Friar Laurence also makes the poor choice of leaving the letter for Romeo in the hands of his unreliable friend, even though he knows that ‘the letter was...full of charge...and the neglecting it may do much danger’ (A5 S2 L18-20). Romeo, as a result of not receiving the letter, is led to believe that Juliet is dead, thus leaving him determined to take his own life too. The Friar does not act responsibly and does not take enough care in ensuring the letter reaches Romeo. These ill-considered actions made by Friar Laurence can be attributed to, and blamed for the calamitous result of the play.
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Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet depicts the story of two star-crossed lovers from feuding families who, after a series of fateful events, choose to take their own lives rather than live without each other. The tragic outcome of Romeo and Juliet can be blamed on Friar Laurence, the family feud and the impulsive actions of Romeo and Juliet. Friar Laurence makes several irresponsible decisions throughout the play such as his unwise plan to reunite the lovers. The family feud forces Romeo and Juliet to marry under secrecy and the decisions they make in order to hide their love lead to their tragic deaths. The rash decisions made by Romeo and Juliet also contribute to the ill-fated outcome of the story.
The tragic outcome of Romeo and Juliet can partly be blamed on Friar Laurence and the irresponsible choices and actions he makes. When Juliet is overcome with grief at Romeo’s banishment, Friar Laurence should act as a reliable and responsible adult, providing her with good advice. Instead he gives Juliet the extreme option of faking death, telling her that ‘it is likely thou wilt undertake a thing like death to chide away this shame’ (A4 S1 L73-74). He considers her situation shameful and convinces her that to take the poison is a suitable option. This action leads on to the deaths of both Romeo and Juliet. Friar Laurence also makes the poor choice of leaving the letter for Romeo in the hands of his unreliable friend, even though he knows that ‘the letter was...full of charge...and the neglecting it may do much danger’ (A5 S2 L18-20). Romeo, as a result of not receiving the letter, is led to believe that Juliet is dead, thus leaving him determined to take his own life too. The Friar does not act responsibly and does not take enough care in ensuring the letter reaches Romeo. These ill-considered actions made by Friar Laurence can be attributed to, and blamed for the calamitous result of the play.
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