Who Is Responsible For Romeo And Juliet's Suicides?
Before Romeo and Juliet’s tragic suicides they each interacted with many different characters, but which of these characters are the ones responsible? In Shakespeare’s famous play Romeo and Juliet, two secret lovers (Romeo and Juliet) die. They both committed suicide because of events leading up to the end of the play. Since they were so in love they could have had the opportunity to be happy together, but some other characters prevented that and ultimately forced Juliet and Romeo’s suicides. In the end the prince states “some shall be pardoned, and some punished.” (5.3.307), but he never says who. Leaving us to wonder who are to be punished. There are three characters whose personalities and actions caused the tragic ending. Friar Lawrence’s
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disregard, Capulet’s selfishness, and lady Capulet’s lack of compassion are all responsible for Romeo and Juliet’s suicides which makes those three guilty and deserving of punishment.
The first person responsible is Friar Lawrence for being disregardful.
He made a plan to get Romeo and Juliet together, but didn’t fully think through any obstacles that could occur. His plan was to give Juliet a potion that would make her family think she was dead, and then he would send a letter to Romeo explaining that she was alive and where he could meet her. He sent the letter through Friar John but did not think to explain how important it was. When Friar John later comes to see Friar Lawrence he reveals the letter could not be sent. “I could not send it – here it is again – Nor get a messenger to bring it thee, so fearful were they of infection.” (5.2.14-16). Friar John was put into quarantine for fear of being infected by sickness. Friar Lawrence showed disregard by not letting the other Friar know how much the letter needed to get to Romeo. The second way the friar show’s disregard is when he finds Juliet in the crypt. When Juliet had awoken to find her love Romeo dead the Friar heard a noise and was frightened by it. He tried to convince her to leave with him, but he let his fear take over leaving Juliet in her misery. “Come, go, good Juliet – I dare no longer stay.” (5.3.159-160). The friar says to Juliet using the word ‘I’ proving that he is disregarding Juliet’s feelings about leaving Romeo, and only cares about his fear. If the friar had regarded the consequences of his actions both Romeo and Juliet would be
alive.
The second person responsible is Capulet (Juliet’s father) for being selfish. He makes a promise to Paris that Juliet would marry him that week without considering Juliet at all. He doesn’t ask Juliet how she feels about the marriage but instead leaves it upon himself to make what should be her decision. “o’ Thursday let it be – o’ Thursday, tell her she shall be married to this noble earl.” (3.4.20-21) He shows that he is selfish by promising Juliet will marry Paris because he likes Paris not because she does. The second way Capulet shows selfishness is when he tells Juliet she is to be married. Juliet refuses and Capulet’s attitude changes dramatically. He immediately gets defensive and angry, and does not act the way a father should. “Hang thee young baggage! Disobedient wretch! I tell thee what, get thee to church o’Thursday, or never after look me in the face.” Capulet says this after Juliet’s refuse. He is selfish because when he did not get his way the immediately got angry...
disregard, Capulet’s selfishness, and lady Capulet’s lack of compassion are all responsible for Romeo and Juliet’s suicides which makes those three guilty and deserving of punishment.
The first person responsible is Friar Lawrence for being disregardful.
He made a plan to get Romeo and Juliet together, but didn’t fully think through any obstacles that could occur. His plan was to give Juliet a potion that would make her family think she was dead, and then he would send a letter to Romeo explaining that she was alive and where he could meet her. He sent the letter through Friar John but did not think to explain how important it was. When Friar John later comes to see Friar Lawrence he reveals the letter could not be sent. “I could not send it – here it is again – Nor get a messenger to bring it thee, so fearful were they of infection.” (5.2.14-16). Friar John was put into quarantine for fear of being infected by sickness. Friar Lawrence showed disregard by not letting the other Friar know how much the letter needed to get to Romeo. The second way the friar show’s disregard is when he finds Juliet in the crypt. When Juliet had awoken to find her love Romeo dead the Friar heard a noise and was frightened by it. He tried to convince her to leave with him, but he let his fear take over leaving Juliet in her misery. “Come, go, good Juliet – I dare no longer stay.” (5.3.159-160). The friar says to Juliet using the word ‘I’ proving that he is disregarding Juliet’s feelings about leaving Romeo, and only cares about his fear. If the friar had regarded the consequences of his actions both Romeo and Juliet would be
alive.
The second person responsible is Capulet (Juliet’s father) for being selfish. He makes a promise to Paris that Juliet would marry him that week without considering Juliet at all. He doesn’t ask Juliet how she feels about the marriage but instead leaves it upon himself to make what should be her decision. “o’ Thursday let it be – o’ Thursday, tell her she shall be married to this noble earl.” (3.4.20-21) He shows that he is selfish by promising Juliet will marry Paris because he likes Paris not because she does. The second way Capulet shows selfishness is when he tells Juliet she is to be married. Juliet refuses and Capulet’s attitude changes dramatically. He immediately gets defensive and angry, and does not act the way a father should. “Hang thee young baggage! Disobedient wretch! I tell thee what, get thee to church o’Thursday, or never after look me in the face.” Capulet says this after Juliet’s refuse. He is selfish because when he did not get his way the immediately got angry...