Who To Blame In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

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Romeo and Juliet, one of Shakespeare’s most notable works in history, depicts an infamous love story that ended in the deaths of both Romeo and Juliet. When the watchmen discovered their bodies, they had several questions. Who was to blame for this tragedy? Or, was there really anyone to blame? The Prince of Verona, appalled by what had happened, had this to say: “Some shall be pardoned, and some punished” (Romeo and Juliet. 5.3.322). Although it is not directly said who he is referring to, the events throughout the play paint a clear picture of whom he holds accountable and why. This included the Capulet’s and Montague’s endless feud, the Friar’s plan, and his own hesitation to act.
Although there are several people that were responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet, two that stand out were the Capulets and the Montagues - specifically, their hatred towards one another. Their feud, one that lasted throughout
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He is the one who wed Romeo and Juliet, despite having knowledge of their families’ endless feud. “Till Holy Church incorporate two in one” (2.6.37). He also devised the plan to help them run away from their parents. His plan consisted of Juliet drinking a liquid to fake her death, where she would then be put in the Capulet’s tomb. From there, Romeo could pick her up and they could live happily ever after. He planned to tell Romeo of this in a letter. This is found in these quotes: “Take thou this vial, being then in bed, / And this distilled liquor drink thou off; / When presently through all thy veins shall run/ A cold and drowsy humor; for no pulse” (4.1.95-98) and “In this resolve, I’ll send a friar with speed/ To Mantua, with my letters to thy lord” (4.1.125). When the letter never reached Romeo, he misconstrued Juliet’s “death”, which to his and Juliet’s tragic demise. If the Friar never wed them, or concocted a plan to help them run away, they’d both still be