Essay Example: Who is Responsible for the Death of Romeo and Juliet?

The tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is one in which a number of individuals are to blame for the death of its main characters. Although there are many factors that lead to the conclusion of the play, there are some individuals to blame the most for the tragic deaths of Romeo and Juliet.  Two of the characters who are responsible are Lord Capulet and Lady Capulet who force Juliet to marry Paris. Romeo must also take some blame for the story’s end, with his immature and inappropriate behaviour.  Friar Lawrence and The Nurse must also be held responsible for Romeo and Juliet's deaths by allowing the marriage of the two characters to take place. All of these characters are, without a doubt, the most responsible for the deaths in Shakespeare's play due to their various actions.

Lord Capulet and Lady Capulet are two characters who are to blame for the death of Romeo and Juliet in the play. When Tybalt sees Romeo at the party, Lord Capulet doesn’t allow Tybalt to encourage Romeo to leave. “Content thee, gentle coz. Let him alone. He bears him like a portly gentleman, And, to say truth, Verona brags of him To be a virtuous and well-governed youth.” (1.5.21) If Tybalt would have told Romeo to leave, Romeo wouldn’t have met Juliet. The Capulets and Montagues are enemies as the two families are feuding. The tension created by this dispute means that Lord Capulet and Lady Capulet do not approve of the marriage between Romeo and Juliet. Lord Capulet and Lady Capulet want Juliet to marry Paris, but their selfish acts cause them to plan the wedding without Juliet knowing. Lord Capulet then tells Juliet that if she doesn’t marry Paris, she will no longer be able to live in their house. All of these actions by Lord Capulet and Lady Capulet lead to the eventual outcome of the play, the death of its main characters.

Romeo is responsible for his own death as well as Juliet’s. Romeo was not invited to the Capulet’s party but he went regardless. He would not have met Juliet or fallen in love if hadn’t gone to the party. “It is the east, and Juliet is the sun. Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, Who is already sick and pale with grief, That thou, her maid, art far more fair than she. Be not her maid since she is envious.” (2.2.26) Romeo killed Tybalt and was banned from Verona as a result. He had to move to a city called Mantua making it impossible to see Juliet.  “And for that offense Immediately we do exile him hence. I have an  interest in your hearts' proceeding.” (3.1.51) Meaning that Romeo will not be killed, but will have to leave the city. Due to Romeo’s actions, if he were to be seen in Verona, he would be killed. Later on in the play, Romeo learns about Juliet’s death and he is devastated.  In his anger at Juliet’s death, he buys poison to kill himself after saying goodbye to Juliet. If Romeo had dealt with his anger differently, the end result could have been different, with him running away with Juliet instead. 

The Nurse and Friar Laurence are also to blame for the death of Romeo and Juliet. Friar Laurence and The Nurse were the only two characters who knew about the secret marriage between Romeo and Juliet. Friar Laurence married the two lovers while Juliet told her parents she was in confession. The Nurse told Juliet that she should marry Paris after she marries Romeo. The Nurse is disloyal to Juliet by suggesting she marry someone she doesn’t love.  “Romeo’s a dishclout to him. An eagle, madam, Hath not so green, so quick, so  fair an eye As Paris hath. Beshrew my very heart, I think you are happy in this second  match, For it excels your first.” (3.5.68) The Nurse is very disloyal to Juliet and explains that Romeo is nothing compared to Paris. Friar Larence gives Juliet a potion to make her fall asleep for days so that she would appear to be dead. “Take thou this vial, being then in  bed, And this distillèd liquor drink  thou off, When presently through all thy veins shall run A cold and  drowsy humor, for no pulse Shall keep his native progress, but surcease.” (4.1.72) This was part of a plan to allow the two lovers to be together in secret. Although the Friar makes a promise to send a letter to Romeo to tell him about the plan, the letter doesn’t get to him on time. 

At the conclusion of the play, it is obvious that there are many people to blame for the death of Romeo and Juliet. Everyone plays a part in the death of Romeo and Juliet. However, Lord Capulet, Lady Capulet, Romeo, Friar Laurence, and the Nurse are the most responsible for the tragic ending. Each of these characters and their actions throughout the play, are to blame for the decisions that Romeo and Juliet make, and the mistakes that, in the end, kill them.