Wednesday 27 February 2013

My essay from 2010/11 on an English GCSE resit - "Consider why Romeo and Juliet died in the play. Who was to blame for what happened to the lovers? Were they responsible at all for what happened?"

Before you get stuck in, if you take 10 minutes out of your time to read it that is, I will briefly explain the story of Romeo and Juliet, for those that haven't had the chance to read the play, with minimal headaches and 'jibber jabber'.

Romeo, of House Montague, and Juliet, of House Capulet, fall deeply madly in love with one another. Now here lies the problem; The two house have been locked in feud with each other for as long as anyone can remember and it is an unwritten rule that no Capulet will entertain a Montague, and vice versa. The two houses have a distain for each other that sees them bite their thumbs when in the same vacinity. Plain and simply, it is wrong! There are various twists and turns within the story and the two lovers are forced to be apart. Juliet takes her life, or so Romeo is led to believe and in his pain and sorrow, takes his own life so he can be with his Juliet for eternity.

If that was still a little too complex for you to understand, stop reading now....


Still here? Great. If you have read Shakespeares 'Romeo and Juliet' and have studied it at GCSE level (that's 15 or 16 years old for anyone that is from overseas from the UK) take your time to read through my opinions of the essay title and see if you had a similar (or disimilar) point of view to myself, or even completely flipped your understanding of play on it's head.

I'd like to see your comments on this, just out of pure interest.

Happy reading!


Consider why Romeo and Juliet died in the play.

Who was to blame for what happened to the lovers?

Were they responsible at all for what happened?

 

Romeo and Juliet is a play written by William Shakespeare in the late 1500s and it is set around the Renaissance era in Verona, Italy. The story is centred around two rival families, the Capulets and the Montagues to which Juliet belonged to the former, and Romeo the latter. When the protagonists fell in love, a domino-effect of events occurred that ultimately led to their deaths. Friar Lawrence married the couple in secret and subsequently continued to play an integral part in the rest of their shortened lives. The death of Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin and the fiery character of her father created substantial strain on Romeo and Juliet’s marriage. Furthermore, Romeo’s banishment stretched their relationship to unbearable limits. Juliet’s nurse also knew everything about the hushed marriage and supported Juliet considerably. Characters with a more minor role also moulded the course of the story in small but significant ways.The deaths of Romeo and Juliet could be perceived as inevitable and simply a result of the fate of the “star-crossed lovers”[1]. However, there was not a solitary reason for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet, there were many people involved and many choices made by those people that resulted in the tragedy. Friar Lawrence, Capulet, Tybalt, the Nurse, Friar John, the Apothecary and Lady Capulet all played a significant role and all will be investigated further to determine precisely how they were responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet.

 

Despite Romeo and Juliet breaking unwritten rules that forbade rival family members to have any contact (let alone marry), the two young lovers merely committed a crime of passion. There were no official laws stating that marriage between the Capulets and Montagues was forbidden. In the events leading up the their deaths, Romeo and Juliet strived to make their marriage work in secret but due to the choices that other characters had made, Romeo and Juliet became the victims rather than the perpetrators. As a result, the plan to reunite the newlyweds turned sour. Had the plan succeeded, the story might have ended with: ‘and they lived happily ever after.’ Characteristic of Shakespeare’s tragedies, however, the story turned from bad to worse. The character playing the most integral part in their avoidable deaths was Friar Lawrence. The reasoning for this controversial view of a Franciscan Friar, whom one would assume would be faithful and honest in all his actions, will illuminate how Lawrence’s actions and choices were irresponsible and delivered the killing blow to Romeo and Juliet.

 

It can be argued that Friar Lawrence is the peace maker of the story; agreeing to marry the two young lovers, consolidating both Romeo and Juliet in their moments of despair and desperation, devising a plan to reunite Juliet with her bridegroom and then rushing to the Capulet’s Monument when Friar John broke news of the undelivered letter to Romeo. However, if one delves deeper into the outcome of all of these good deeds, it can be contended that Friar Lawrence’s intentions were not entirely righteous. The first of Friar Lawrence’s ill-fated judgements was the sending of Romeo to spend the night with Juliet before he had to leave for Mantua;

 

            Go hence, good night, and here stands all your state:

Either be gone before the Watch be set,

            Or by the break of day disguised from hence.

            Sojourn in Mantua; I’ll find out your man,

            And he shall signify from time to time

            Every good hap to you that chances here.

            Give me thy hand, ‘tis late. Farewell, good night. [2]

 

This effort seems appropriate considering that Romeo and Juliet may never see each other again. Friar Lawrence explains that he will send word from Verona from time to time which gives the reader the impression that he is genuinely trying to help. Conversely, knowing of Romeo’s banishment, Friar Lawrence disobeys the Prince’s decree by sending Romeo to see Juliet. Encouraging further contact only made the possibility of a continued relationship more likely. Secondly, when Juliet approaches Friar Lawrence for guidance after being told to marry Paris or she’ll be disowned by her family, he listens and seems to appreciate the turmoil that Juliet is going through. So Friar Lawrence provides her with a sleeping poison that mimics death and the plan is set in motion;

 

            If, rather than to marry County Paris,

            Thou hast the strength of will to slay thyself,

            Then is it likely thou wilt undertake

            A thing like death to chide away this shame,

            That cop’st with Death himself to scape from it;

            And if thou dar’st, I’ll give thee remedy.[3]

 

It is arguable that Friar Lawrence’s plan is all for the good will of Romeo and Juliet’s marriage. On the other hand, providing a poison that fakes Juliet’s death and causes her family the pain of losing their only daughter seems somewhat immoral. This scheme would almost undoubtedly be frowned upon by other members of the Church, most certainly by Juliet’s family and could even be worthy of punishment if the Prince was to find out. Furthermore, providing Juliet with this poison will ensure the Friar’s assistance in this plan will remain secret. It cannot be ignored that if Friar Lawrence had not initiated this plan, the two deaths would never have occurred.

 

Lastly, upon learning that Romeo had never received the letter, Friar Lawrence rushed to the Capulet’s monument to break in and hide Juliet at his cell, until Romeo could be notified. Agreeably, Lawrence’s intentions to salvage the ever thinning strands of Romeo and Juliet’s marriage were respectable. However, the intention to break into a resting place for the dead and to take Juliet’s body was morally wrong and borderline grave robbing; taking into account that no one knew that Juliet was not dead. When Friar Lawrence arrived at the tomb he witnessed Juliet emerge from her deathly slumber. Fearing the discovery of his involvement, the Friar pleaded with Juliet to join him as he fled the tomb. This performance from Friar Lawrence confirms the extent of his ill intentions and confirms that he was indeed a key malefactor in the deaths of Romeo and Juliet.

 

Despite the argument that Friar Lawrence can be seen as unworthy of practicing the way of the Church and questioning his motives, it is agreeable and can clearly be appreciated that marrying Romeo and Juliet could have annulled an ancient grudge[4] and brought the feuding families together. Evidence to back up this theory can be found from a scene at the Capulet’s party.

 

            Content thee, gentle coz, let him alone,

            ‘A bears him like a portly gentleman;

            And to say truth, Verona brags of him

            To be a virtuous and well-governed youth.

            I would not for the wealth of all this town

            Here in my house do him disparagement;

            Therefore be patient, take no note of him;

            It is my will, the which of thou respect,

            Show a fair presence, and put off these frowns,

            An ill-beseeming semblance for a feast.[5]

 

This speech from Capulet is used to portray the anger that he is feeling for Tybalt’s inconsideration, fiery temper and his provocation of Romeo. It gives the reader a small insight into the sort of person Capulet was, a fiercely loyal, generous and humble man; Tybalt wanted to fight Romeo, but Capulet defended him and spoke highly of him despite belonging to the enemy family. This exposes a little snippet of what could have been in the story of Romeo and Juliet, for example; If Romeo and Juliet had been truthful and open about their love for one another, from evidence stated, Capulet may well have saved the misfortune of the two young lovers dying. Furthermore, Capulet acknowledges to Paris;

 

            But Montague is bound as well as I,

            In penalty alike, and ‘tis not hard, I think,

            For men so old as we to keep the peace.

 

Once more, Capulet gives the reader a sense of false hope; he states that he thinks it is possible for the Capulets and the Montagues to live harmoniously. This is yet another insight into how avoidable the deaths of Romeo and Juliet were.

 

However, as arranged marriages were custom in the Renaissance era, Paris approached Capulet twice to push for Juliet’s hand in marriage[6]. Capulet accepted and made hastily arrangements to get his daughter married to County Paris. Juliet is asked by her mother, Lady Capulet, to marry Paris but Juliet refuses. On her refusal, Capulet enters Juliet’s bedchamber and mistakes her tears for the mourning of Tybalt. However, when Lady Capulet conveys Juliet’s insubordination, Capulet immediately changes from a calm and caring father to a whirlwind of fury and insult. Capulet delivers his ultimatum;

 

            I tell thee what: get thee to church a’Thursday,

            Or never after look me in the face.[7]

 

Juliet is mortified at the prospect of being disgraced and disowned by her own flesh and blood if she does not marry Paris and Capulet’s outrageously exacting demand shoves Juliet over the edge of rationality and tips the balance in favour of Death becoming Juliet’s new lover[8]. Her recent loss of Tybalt, the banishment of her husband and not knowing if she will ever see him again, and the choice of abandonment or marriage to someone she did not love seem all too overwhelming for Juliet, guided her to seek Friar Lawrence and progress further into the more seemingly avoidable, cold grip of death.

 

Exploring further into the culpability of the deaths of Romeo and Juliet leads to the fiery Tybalt and his insatiable appetite for vengeance on Romeo for insulting the honour of Tybalt and the Capulet party[9]. It can be argued that the turning point of this story, for Romeo, is when Mercutio and Tybalt fight for what turned out to be the last time. Romeo, being Tybalt’s newlywed cousin, tries to calm the two combatants but instead causes Mercutio’s death at Tybalt’s hand[10]. Mercutio’s death provoked Romeo into honouring his good friend Mercutio, and challenging Tybalt to a fight to the death, which in turn, led to Romeo’s banishment and arguably resulted in Romeo’s death too. Although Tybalt was not as much to blame as others in the story, his actions had a direct effect on Romeo and Juliet’s future and turned the tide of the story to an even more categorical sour ending.

 

One of the most influential characters of this bittersweet story was Juliet’s Nurse. Throughout the story the Nurse knew of Juliet’s true feelings, knew of her marriage to Romeo, and even has as much involvement as being the go-between for the two young lovers. Juliet trusts the Nurse because she helped her to be with Romeo and hide their marriage on numerous occasions[11]. However, being on the receiving end of Capulet’s wrath, the Nurse suddenly has a change of heart and loyalty, urging Juliet to forget Romeo and marry Paris;

 

            I think it best you married with the County.

            O, he’s a lovely gentleman!

            Romeo’s a dishclout to him.[12]

 

As a consequence, Juliet feels betrayed by the only person she thought she could trust. Now with the additional loss of a fabricated friend, Juliet seeks the counsel of the Friar;

 

            I’ll to the Friar to know his remedy;

            If all else fail, myself have power to die.

 

The last words articulated by Juliet as she leaves for Friar Lawrence’s cell convey her own ultimatum, as a symbol of defiance to her father’s earlier demand and a gesture of her desperation to rid herself of the seclusion she is feeling. The Nurse is clearly accountable for Juliet’s looming death due to her shock promotion of Capulet’s proposal.

 

A Franciscan brother of Friar Lawrence’s, Friar John was merely entrusted by Friar Lawrence to take the all-important letter to Romeo. Nevertheless, the ploy to save Romeo and Juliet’s marriage followed suit and plunged from an already superfluous situation to an even worse one. Friar John told his brother of his misfortune;

 

            Going to find a barefoot brother out,

            One of our order, to associate me,

            Here in this city visiting the sick,

            And finding him, the searchers of the town,

            Suspecting that we were both in a house

            Where the infectious pestilence did reign,

            Sealed up the doors, and would not let us forth,

            So that my speed to Mantua there was stayed[13]

 

This speech from Friar John tells the reader that he did not follow Friar Lawrence’s orders immediately. Instead, he sought to find someone from his order to accompany him on his journey and consequently delaying this hasty task unnecessarily. As a result, Romeo was told that Juliet had died and so was never told of the elaborate plan, causing Romeo to believe that Juliet was dead and to take his own life. Thus, Friar John helped to usher in the deaths with his unworthiness of such a task, rather than preventing it.

 

Preventing death is also something the apothecary in Mantua certainly did not do;

 

            Put this in any liquid thing you will

            And drink it off, and if you had the strength

            Of twenty men, it would dispatch you straight[14].

 

The apothecary could have granted precious time on Romeo’s preventable death by adhering to the law and not selling the illegal poison to Romeo[15]. This would have bought needed time for Friar Lawrence to reclaim Juliet from the Capulet’s monument. Instead, the apothecary uses his pennilessness to allow Romeo to persuade him to sell the poison[16].

 

Finally, the investigation reveals that Lady Capulet’s involvement in the deaths of Romeo and Juliet is somewhat minor in comparison to the other characters. Evidently, Lady Capulet was not in any way directly involved in Juliet’s death: her lack of mothering toward Juliet did not help her daughter in shying away from death as a comfort;

 

            Talk to me not, for I’ll not speak a word.

            Do as thou wilt, for I have done with thee[17]

 

These hard words from Lady Capulet confirm that her loyalty lay with Juliet’s father. Lady Capulet was not as much as a mother to Juliet as was the Nurse; she was more of a secondary authority figure who followed the word of her superior husband. Capulet’s words were final. Not wanting to undermine him, Lady Capulet turned Juliet away when she needed her most. Therefore, Lady Capulet’s involvement was indeed minor, but still delivered a hurtful blow that pushes Juliet evermore closer to the avoidable deaths of herself and Romeo.

 

In conclusion, there was no one person responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. It was in fact a combination of actions by many characters, all of which have been discussed. The character that had the most involvement in the demise of Romeo and Juliet’s relationship and indeed their lives was Friar Lawrence. Throughout the story Friar Lawrence was in a position to both know and influence the course of events leading up to the deaths, and throughout the story, guided Romeo and Juliet with what can be argued was an unwise hand. However, the point at which the story took a turn for the worse was when Romeo killed Tybalt. It can be argued that had this not occurred, Friar Lawrence would not have needed to devise the inauspicious plan and from that point on, the likelihood of a happy ending decreased dramatically. Although it may be tempting to hold fate accountable for the deaths of the protagonists, in reference to the evidence used in this investigation, it can quite clearly be seen that Romeo and Juliet’s deaths were very much avoidable.


 

Bibliography

 

William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, (Cambridge School Shakespeare, Cambridge University Press, 2005)



[1] Prologue – line 6
[2] Friar Lawrence – Act 3 Scene 4, line 166 - 172
[3] Friar Lawrence – Act 4 Scene 1, line 71 – 76 (for the more detailed plan see lines 89 – 120)
[4] Prologue – line 3
[5] Capulet – Act 1 Scene 5, line 64 - 73
[6] Paris – Act 1 Scene 2, line 6
   Paris – Act 3 Scene 4, line 8 - 29
[7] Capulet – Act 3 Scene 5, line 161 -162
[8] Romeo – Act 5 Scene 3, line 102 - 105
[9] Source used from Tybalt – Act 1 Scene 5, line 57
[10] Mercutio and Tybalt’s fight scene – Act 3 Scene 1, line 80 - 85
[11] Juliet/Nurse – Act 2 Scene 5, line 66 – 77
    Nurse – Act 3 Scene 2, line 138 – 141
    Nurse – Act 3 Scene 5, line 39 - 40
[12] Nurse – Act 3 Scene 5, line 217 - 219
[13] Friar John – Act 5 Scene 2, line 5 - 12
[14] Apothecary – Act 5 scene 1, line 77 - 79
[15] Apothecary – Act 5 Scene 1, line 66 - 67
[16] Romeo – Act 5 Scene 1, line 58 - 59
[17] Lady Capulet – Act 3 Scene 5, line 202 – 203

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