Who is to blame for the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet?
Uploaded by -x-rachel-x- on May 05, 2005
Who is to Blame for the Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet?
The tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, a play that contains much controversy around the issue ‘who is to blame for the couple’s deaths?’ In this world we are always so willing to place the blame with one person but in this play, when you look deeper into the language and meanings, it becomes clear that there are a variety of people, and indeed things, that can be blamed. Why blame an individual when the bigger picture becomes clear? I will be studying the play of Romeo and Juliet and this essay will report on each person or thing that has affected the tragedy.
Romeo and Juliet, the core characters, are often blamed for their deaths. For one thing they are physically responsible as they killed themselves, there was no murder of either character, they both committed suicide. It was Romeo’s fault as he purchased the poison, which he drank to die, and Juliet’s fault as she stabbed herself. However, away from the physical factors there are many views as to why the couple felt they had no other way to be together. As I mentioned earlier, it is impossible to blame one thing.
Being young, headstrong and passionate the couple appeared to be emotionally attached and in love. This is one influence in their demise. Had they never fallen in love, the deaths would not have occurred. However, this would also mean that there would be no play so perhaps it would be more suitable to say that they should have been less headstrong and slower in their relationship. After all, the play does take place over a five day period and in that time they meet, fall in love, get married, get separated and kill themselves! We know that they were impulsive due to the haste of their marriage:
‘If that thy bent of love be honourable,
Thy purpose marriage, send me word tomorrow,’
Bearing in mind that this quote is taken from their second meeting it is clear to see that they were rash. Juliet is unaware of Romeo’s fickleness in love but the audience know about his earlier obsession; He was infatuated with Rosaline the day before! This suggests that Juliet is foolish as she rushes into the relationship without getting to know him properly. It is also a good demonstration of how Romeo is both hasty and fickle in...