Romeo and Juliet Practice Essay

Romeo and Juliet Practice Essay

"Fate, accident or responsibility?" Who or what in your view is responsible for the tragic deaths of the lovers in Romeo and Juliet.

There has been fierce debate for sometime, concerning the causes of the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. Fate is the supposed force, principle, or power that predetermines events. An accident is where something happens unintentionally and results in something negative. To be responsible is to be held accountable for something you have done. Some say that Fate played a hand in ending the lives of the tragic lovers. Some say that it was all an accident. Some say that specific characters in the play were involved in their untimely deaths. In my personal opinion, I believe that it was a fatal combination of all three factors that lead to their tragic endings.

In Act 1, Scene 1 of the play, Benvolio witnessed Romeo's infatuation with Rosaline, and saw how miserable it had made him. He told Romeo to compare her to the other more beautiful women that Verona had to offer, to prove that Rosaline was not that extraordinary compared to them. In a way, Benvolio played a minor role in leading Romeo to Juliet, for if Benvolio had not told Romeo to "examine other beauties", Romeo may not have given Juliet a second glance, being still preoccupied with his infatuation with Rosaline. Romeo paying attention and falling in love with Juliet was significant in this chain of events, as it was the beginning of this tragic love story.

While Act 1 Scene 1 holds Benvolio's minor role in the partaking of Romeo and Juliet's meeting, Act 1 Scene 2, contains Lord Capulet's fateful blunder, whereby he instructed an illiterate servant to go about Verona with an invitation to a feast that he held. In his alacrity to fulfill his master's request, the servant did not tell Capulet of his inability to read. That may have been due to his fear of Capulet's wrath, or fear of being ridiculed. His illiteracy resulted in him asking Romeo to read to invitation out loud for him, and by doing so, unconsciously informed Romeo of the festivities. This can be seen in two ways. That it was either fate, that Capulet chose an illiterate servant to deliver his message, or the servant's responsibility that he did not inform Capulet of his inability to read. In any case, that particular incident was how Romeo eventually met Juliet.

In Act 1 Scene 4, Romeo mentioned that he had a premonition in the form of a dream, and that something foul was about to take place that night. Mercutio, however, made light of Romeo's premonition, and said "This wind you talk of blows us from our selves", meaning that he thought that Romeo's nonsense was preventing them from arriving on time. In this way Mercutio played his part in the meeting of Romeo and Juliet, for if Mercutio had taken Romeo seriously, and told him to take precaution and not go to the feast, the meeting would not have taken place. Romeo on the other hand was also partially to blame for going to the feast, as he still went even though he himself knew that the premonition was not something to be taken lightly. However, he also said that "he that hath the steerage of my course/ Direct my suit" Meaning that he believed that God will direct his course. In a way, this justifies his decision, as he believe that he himself has not control over what happens in his life, and that if anything unpleasant occurs, then it is the will of God.

Fate comes in again in Act 1, Scene 5. This was the first time Romeo ever met Juliet. He fell in love with her when he could have fallen in love with any other girl. He cannot be held 'responsible' for loving her, as matters of the heart cannot be controlled.

In Act 2, Scene 2, Romeo climbed over the Capulet's garden wall in attempt to see Juliet. He is at fault here, as he should have known that it was inappropriate for him to visit her so late at night, unsupervised, especially since she was only thirteen years old. If he had not gone to her balcony and overheard all she had said to him, he may not have so hastily committed himself to her. Juliet, however, is just as much as in the wrong as Romeo. She knowingly proposed marriage to Romeo after promising her mother that she would only marry with her parents' consent. Both these factors are another link in the chain of events that lead to their marriage, and ultimately, their death. It is also worthy to note, that in this scene, Juliet said "What's in a name?" This brings us to another observation- that Juliet being a Capulet is fate as well.

Friar Lawrence is introduced to us in Act 2 Scene 3. Romeo approached the Friar, and asked him to be the celebrant at their wedding. At first, the Friar refused to entertain the idea, and even went as far as to call him impetuous, but then he changed his mind and agrees to it- even if it was an extremely irresponsible decision as he obviously knew of the enmity that existed between the two families, and the troubles it would cause. Yet, putting aside the accusations and irresponsibility, Friar Lawrence's intentions were good, as he felt that. "This alliance may so happy prove to turn your (The Capulets and Montagues) households' rancor into pure love," His hasty decision was another factor that eventually would lead Romeo and Juliet to their deaths.

The Nurse came to deliver Juliet's message to Romeo in Act 2 Scene 4. Here, the nurse is held accountable for agreeing to do this for Juliet. Of all the servants, the Nurse was held in the highest esteem, as not only was she Juliet's nurse and companion since Juliet's infancy, but she had the Capulet's complete trust and was even let in on private family meetings. She of all people should have known of the dire consequences that would result from her assistance in Romeo and Juliet's affair. She should not even have encouraged Juliet in Act 2 Scene 5, when she persistently praised Romeo and arranged for them to meet later that night.

Mercutio's death in Act 3 Scene 1 was an accident- an unfortunate twist of fate. He was killed "under your (Romeo's) arm". Romeo became so incensed that it was Tybalt's sword that killed his friend that he went after Tybalt and killed him. This act scene contains very good examples of fate, accident and responsibility. It was both an accident and fate that Mercutio was killed, but it was Romeo's own fault that he was exiled; as he should have known of the penalty of his actions, and