The Power of Circumstance in the Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet
Submitted by: Jaron Su Submitted to: Mr. D. Lukas Course: ENG2D Date Submitted: 6 June 2013
The Power of Circumstance in the Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet
Throughout the world, “[t]here are...great challenges that ordinary [people] are forced by circumstance to meet” (Halsey). William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, effectively conveys how Romeo and Juliet meet their tragic fates. The actions of Friar Lawrence, members of the Capulet and Montague households, society’s demands, and fate create circumstances which ensnare Romeo and Juliet, who encounter a lamentable end. Romeo and Juliet are not responsible for the tragedy that befalls them, but rather victims of circumstances that force them into situations they are least capable of handling. Firstly, Romeo and Juliet are the victims of events that Friar Lawrence and members of the Capulet and Montague households create. Rosaline rejects Romeo which disheartens him because he is “out of her favour where I am in love” (1.1.162). Romeo’s dispiritedness causes Benvolio and Mercutio to escort Romeo to Capulet’s feast, where he can “[c]ompare her face with some that I [Benvolio] shall show/ And I [Benvolio] will make thee think thy swan a crow” (1.2.88-89). At the feast, Romeo and Juliet meet, fall in love, and vow to marry the following day. Friar Lawrence is capable of refusing to marry Romeo and Juliet, but agrees because of his groundless optimism for peace between the quarrelling households. He reasons: “...this alliance may so happy prove/ To turn your households’ rancour to pure love” (2.3.91-92) as justification. However, Romeo and Juliet’s marriage must remain undisclosed because of the antagonism between their families. The actions of characters such as Friar Lawrence and members of the Capulet and Montague households generate circumstances in which Romeo and Juliet are incapable of handling and have limited actions to choose from, resulting in their tragic end. In addition, the law and society they inhabit
The Power of Circumstance in the Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet
Throughout the world, “[t]here are...great challenges that ordinary [people] are forced by circumstance to meet” (Halsey). William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, effectively conveys how Romeo and Juliet meet their tragic fates. The actions of Friar Lawrence, members of the Capulet and Montague households, society’s demands, and fate create circumstances which ensnare Romeo and Juliet, who encounter a lamentable end. Romeo and Juliet are not responsible for the tragedy that befalls them, but rather victims of circumstances that force them into situations they are least capable of handling. Firstly, Romeo and Juliet are the victims of events that Friar Lawrence and members of the Capulet and Montague households create. Rosaline rejects Romeo which disheartens him because he is “out of her favour where I am in love” (1.1.162). Romeo’s dispiritedness causes Benvolio and Mercutio to escort Romeo to Capulet’s feast, where he can “[c]ompare her face with some that I [Benvolio] shall show/ And I [Benvolio] will make thee think thy swan a crow” (1.2.88-89). At the feast, Romeo and Juliet meet, fall in love, and vow to marry the following day. Friar Lawrence is capable of refusing to marry Romeo and Juliet, but agrees because of his groundless optimism for peace between the quarrelling households. He reasons: “...this alliance may so happy prove/ To turn your households’ rancour to pure love” (2.3.91-92) as justification. However, Romeo and Juliet’s marriage must remain undisclosed because of the antagonism between their families. The actions of characters such as Friar Lawrence and members of the Capulet and Montague households generate circumstances in which Romeo and Juliet are incapable of handling and have limited actions to choose from, resulting in their tragic end. In addition, the law and society they inhabit