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  • Essay / Romeo is to blame in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

    In Shakespeare's tragedy Romeo and Juliet, the young lovers meet a tragic end due to a series of unfortunate events. Many readers and critics have debated who is ultimately responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. While it is easy to point the finger at fate, feuding families, or even Friar Laurence, the evidence points to Romeo himself as the primary cause of this tragic outcome. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay One of the main reasons why Romeo is responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet is his impulsive nature. From the beginning of the play, Romeo is portrayed as a young man who acts on his emotions without thinking about them. When he first meets Juliet at the Capulet party, he falls in love with her almost instantly and proposes the next day. This impulsiveness leads to a chain of events that ultimately ends in tragedy. Additionally, Romeo's tendency to act rashly without considering the consequences also plays a significant role in the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. For example, when he learns of Juliette's supposed death, he immediately rushes to her grave without verifying the information. This impulsive decision leads Romeo to kill himself, which ultimately leads Juliet to kill herself as well. If Romeo had taken a moment to think, perhaps the tragic outcome could have been avoided. Additionally, Romeo's inability to control his emotions also contributes to the tragic ending of Romeo and Juliet. Throughout the play, Romeo is portrayed as a very emotional character who lets his feelings dictate his actions. This lack of emotional control is evident in his reaction to Mercutio's death, where he lets his anger get the best of him and ends up killing Tybalt. This act of violence sets off a chain of events that ultimately lead to the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. Besides his impulsive nature and lack of emotional control, Romeo's inability to communicate effectively also plays a role in the play's tragic outcome. When he learns of Juliette's plan to fake her death, he fails to communicate with her in time, leading to a series of misunderstandings that ultimately lead to their deaths. If Romeo had been more proactive in his communication with Juliet, perhaps they could have found a way to be together without resorting to such drastic measures. One piece of evidence that supports the idea that Romeo is responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet is his impulsive decision to marry Juliet after only knowing her for a short time. In Act 2, Scene 3, Romeo visits Friar Laurence and asks him to marry him and Juliet on the same day. The friar hesitates and warns Romeo of the haste of his decision by saying: “These violent delights have violent ends” (2.6.9). This impulsive decision to marry Juliette without really knowing her sets off a chain of events that lead to their tragic end. If Romeo had taken the time to get to know Juliet better and think, perhaps they could have found a way to be together without resorting to such drastic measures. Additionally, Romeo's lack of emotional control is evident in his reaction to Mercutio's death. In Act 3, Scene 1, Mercutio is killed by Tybalt, prompting Romeo to take revenge and kill Tybalt in a fit of rage. This act of violence not only leads to his banishment from Verona, but also sets off a series of events that ultimately lead to the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. If Romeo had been able to control his emotions and think before acting, the tragic outcome might have been possible..