Who Is To Blame For Romeo And Juliet's Death

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From Feuding Families to Lifeless Lovers “Whole misadventured piteous overthrows Do with their death bury their parents' strife. The fearful passage of their death-marked love, And the continuance of their parents' rage,”(Act 1, Prologue Lines 7-10 ) In the tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare, two star-crossed lovers from opposing families in Verona, Italy fall in love and take their own lives at the very thought of not being together forever. There is much debate about who is to blame for the death of the teenagers. Some say it's the fault of Romeo and Juliet’s impulsiveness, some say it’s fate. However, the age long feud between the Montague and the Capulet families is predominant over all other factors through Juliet’s arranged…show more content…
Shakespeare describes it as an “Ancient Grudge” in the prologue of Act 1 ( Line 3). The long lasting alteration has caused many street quarrels, the most important being the deaths of Mercutio and Tybalt. These deaths are of of utmost importance as a result of Romeo being the murderer of Tybalt. Romeo’s scorn towards Tybalt not only results in the death of a Capulet, further straining the relationships between families, but also causes Romeo to be banished. In Act 3 Scene 1 Lines 148-159, Prince says, “And for that offence Immediately we do exile him hence. I have an interest in your hearts' proceeding. My blood for your rude brawls doth lie a-bleeding. But I’ll amerce you with so strong a fine That you shall all repent the loss of mine. I will be deaf to pleading and excuses. Nor tears nor prayers shall purchase out abuses, Therefore use none. Let Romeo hence in haste, Else, when he’s found, that hour is his last. Bear hence this body and attend our will. Mercy but murders, pardoning those that kill.” If it were not for the grudge held between the two families, Romeo would not have acted so rashly in the situation he was in, and Verone would most likely not be in the state of violence and peril that it was in at that…show more content…
This occurrence also puts even more strain on the relationship of the Capulet and Montague families. When romeo is being persecuted, Lady Capulet explains her grievances by saying, “Benvolio is part of the Montague family. His loyalties to the Montagues make him tell lies. He’s not telling the truth. There were twenty Montagues fighting in this awful riot, and together those twenty could only kill one man. I demand justice. You, Prince, are the man who can give me justice. Romeo killed Tybalt. Romeo must die.”(Act 3 Scene 1 Lines 138-143). Romeo’s exile combined with the pressure of Juliet’s arranged marriage causes Juliet to make some very rash decisions. Some of these include her plan to fake her own death, as well as her hastiness to end her own life once she finds that Romeo is actually
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