Introduction
Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet is one of the most famous stories in literature. It is the ultimate tale of star-crossed lovers who meet their gloomy end despite the best intentions of family, friends, and enemies. The question of who is most to blame for Romeo and Juliet’s deaths has been debated for centuries. While some argue that the characters’ actions are to blame, others believe that the machinations of outside forces caused the tragedy.
Determining the Primary Cause of Romeo and Juliet’s Tragic Demise
One of the characters most often blamed for the death of Romeo and Juliet is the Nurse. She is the one who brought the two together and was the only one who knew of the secret marriage. She is the one who encourages Juliet to marry Paris and abandon Romeo (Ghaffary and Alizadeh). The Nurse’s actions led to Juliet’s desperation and her eventual suicide.
In addition, it is possible to argue that Romeo and Juliet’s parents are to blame for the tragedy. The feud between the Montagues and the Capulets prevented Romeo and Juliet from being together, leading to their deaths (Ghaffary and Alizadeh). The Capulets were incredibly unforgiving, insisting on Juliet marrying Paris despite her protests. This was a significant contributing factor to Juliet’s despair.
On the other hand, some would argue that Romeo and Juliet are ultimately responsible for their deaths. They were both young and in love, and their rash decisions eventually led to their downfall. They married secretly, refused to discuss their problems with their parents, and Romeo even killed Tybalt (Ghaffary and Alizadeh). These impulsive decisions, as well as their inability to see reason or accept help, are ultimately what led to their deaths.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is difficult to say who should be blamed for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. While characters such as the Nurse and Friar made mistakes that ultimately led to their deaths, the couple’s actions are also to blame. Finally, the feud between the two families was a major contributing factor, and it is difficult to overlook its role in the tragedy. Ultimately, all these characters played a role in the tragedy, and it is impossible to say who is most to blame.
Work Cited
Ghaffary, Mohammad, & Ghiasuddin Alizadeh. “The Tragedy of Love: A Study of Love and Death in Jacques Lacan’s Thought, with Special Reference to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet”. Contemporary Psychoanalysis, 2022, pp. 1–34. Web.