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Who Was To Blame For Romeo And Juliet's Death

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"The blame for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet ultimately rests with Friar Lawrence." Do you agree?

The play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare ends with the death of both title characters, Romeo and Juliet. With many contributing factors to the cause of these deaths it could be said that Friar Lawrence is ultimately to blame. Although one could conclude that this statement is true as Friar Lawrence had a large amount of responsibility, it could also be concluded that this statement is false as there are many other factors in the play that resulted in the death of Romeo and Juliet. It is easy to blame the Friar as he is supposed to be a neutral character in this matter, but factors such as the feud and complexes in Romeo and Juliet’s personalities also carry a lot of …show more content…
Impulsive Romeo was only madly in love with Rosaline a minute before he set his eyes on Juliet. Even the Friar points this out when he says “So soon forsaken? Young men’s love then lies.” But Romeo continues telling the Friar “I have forgot that name, and that name’s woe.” Despite the Friar explaining that he is being ridiculous and obsessive, Romeo is still infatuated with Juliet and wishes for the Friar to marry both himself and Juliet. This creates the first complication of their secret marriage. Juliet also, being so lonely and vulnerable, is so ‘in love’ with Romeo that she sees no point of living without him when she says ‘O, bid me leap, rather than marry Paris.” Juliet’s unstable personality proves she is not ready for such intense ‘love’ as it eventually leads her to do irrational things like fake her death. The infatuation that Romeo and Juliet had for each other placed them in their own bubble where they only live and breathe for each other. This is doomed from the start and ends with both of them killing themselves over each other’s deaths as ‘These violent delights have violent

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