Who is to blame for the tragic death of Romeo and Juliet? Throughout this tragedy there have been many key people responsible for the two young lover’s deaths. It is argued that the older generation is blame for the terrible outcome of the play. Firstly the parents were to blame as they forced their child into marriage and left her feeling isolated and alone. Secondly the nurse has a fair portion of blame for their deaths as she encouraged the relationship from day one and kept it a secret and finally Friar Lawrence can be blamed for his poorly planned out actions. The younger generation did also have a part in Romeo and Juliet’s death but the older generation had a larger role in the tragic outcome.
The parents of Romeo and Juliet are partly to blame; they made many mistakes which contributed to the outcome of the play. If the parents had been mature and put aside their differences, they would not have carried on with the unnecessary feud therefore letting Romeo and Juliet be together without the complication and the drama. MONTAGUE: “Thou villain Capulet! Hold me not. Let me go.” LADY MONTAGUE: “Thou shalt not stir one foot to seek a foe.” (1.1.73-73)
This shows that the families are enemies to one another and the relationship between the two families is toxic. Capulet forcing Juliet to marry Paris is also a big factor in the death of Romeo and Juliet. When Capulet verbal abuses Juliet it leaves her feeling isolated and alone.
CAPULET: “disobedient wretch! I tell thee what: get thee to the church a’ Thursday or never after look me in the face.” (3.5.160-161)
Juliet did not want to marry Paris but instead be faithful to her husband. Capulet would have disowned her if she did not marry Paris. This left Juliet feeling isolated with nobody to confide in, had Lady Capulet stood up for Juliet and had a better relationship with her daughter, Juliet could have gone to her mother seeking advice