Essay Sample on Romeo is More to Blame in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare presents a tragedy of two “star-crossed lovers” who endure the result of the feuding families of Verona. However, the opposition between the two households, Capulet and Montague, is not the only reason for the death of Romeo and Juliet. Certainly, there are characters in the play that contribute to their suffering and deaths like Romeo. In the play, he could be held accountable for the tragedy due to his reckless behavior through several events. Despite many other characters contributing to the tragic accident, Romeo is most culpable for the tragedies that befell Romeo and Juliet.

Firstly, Romeo is at fault due to his recklessness and testy personality. At the beginning of the play, Mercutio and Tybalt are engaged in a sword fight and Romeo, unaware and reckless, accidentally brings about the death of his friend Mercutio by getting in his way. If Romeo had not interfered in the duel between them, there is a possibility that no one might have died and that Romeo may not have been exiled.

MERCUTIO

No ‘tis not so deep as well, nor so wide as 

a church door, but ‘tis enough. ‘Twill serve. Ask for

me tomorrow and you shall find me a grave man. I 

am peppered, I warrant, for this world. A plague o’ 

both your houses! Zounds, a dog, a rat, a mouse, a 

cat, to scratch a man to death! A braggart, a rogue, a 

villain that fights by the book of arithmetic! Why the 

devil came you between us? I was hurt under your 

arm. (III,i,100-108)

Here, Mercutio talks about his wound, comparing the cut to a well and a church door. He explains that his “painless” wound is not as deep as a well and not as large as a door to prevent chaos and concern between the others. He knows that he is done in this world and Mercutio, not taking a side, curses both houses of Capulet and Montague. His words create trouble slowly and foreshadows a great loss that both houses will experience. This moment is a turning point of the story because Mercutio is killed by a Capulet causing more tension to occur. Now, Romeo is irritable and frustrated leading him to avenge Mercutio by killing Tybalt. As a result, Romeo is banished from Verona, separating him from Juliet. Romeo’s anger escalated the situation, but if he had been more careful and held his rage together, the conflict may have been smaller.

Moreover, Romeo holds blame for the tragedy for going to the Capulet's party uninvited. Before knowing about the party, Romeo and his friends are encountered by a Capulet servant, asking for help reading a list of names that are going to be at the gathering. He sees his “love” Rosaline on the list causing him to sneak into the party. However, at the party he sees Juliet for the first time, and Rosaline is no longer on his mind.

ROMEO

O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!

It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night

As a rich jewel in an Ethiop’s ear–

Beauty too rich for use, for Earth too dear.

So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows

As yonder lady o’er her fellows shows.

The measure done, I’ll watch her place of stand

And, touching hers, make blessèd my rude hand.

Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight, 

For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night. (I,v,51-60)

Here, Romeo compares Juliet to a torch, showing that she lights up the room with her beauty and is brighter than a torch. He also implies that her beauty is too adequate for use and is too admired to be buried upon the Earth. After, Romeo states that Juliet is a snowy dove, representing beauty and light, trooping and overpowering everybody else at the party expressed as crows. He characterizes the other ladies as dark crows as Juliet stands out among them. Forswearing and abandoning Rosaline, he now acknowledges his love for Juliet. He affirms that he has never seen true beauty like Juliet until this night. If Romeo did not go to the party, he may not have met Juliet and start love between a Capulet and Montague which later brings trouble. 

Finally, Romeo killing himself and not thinking things through is why the two young lovers died. At the end of novel, Romeo approaches Juliet’s tomb and prepares to suicide and say good-bye to Juliet. He kisses her one last time and drinks the poison he acquired from the apothecary. 

ROMEO

Come, bitter conduct, come, unsavory guide! 

Thou desperate pilot, now at once run on 

The dashing rocks thy seasick weary bark! 

Here’s to my love. [Drinking]. O true apothecary, 

Thy drugs are quick. 

Thus with a kiss I die. (V,iii,115-120)

Here, Romeo speaks his last few words before he dies. Romeo reacts to his wife, Juliet, who he thinks is dead. The poison who he speaks of, is his bitter unsavory guide to death. Romeo describes his suicide by comparing his life-ending poison to a ship’s commander who crashes his unstable boat onto dashing rocks. He concludes by drinking the poison for Juliet as well as thanking the apothecary and then dies. Shortly after, Juliet awakes and stabs herself seeing her dead husband. If Romeo took the patience to think this through and ask for help, the tragedy may not have ended in the deaths of two lovers. 

In the end, both “star crossed lovers” die and hand over the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. The feuding families of Verona decide to bring their conflict to an end, knowing that they have both suffered a great loss. As a result, the households make amends for Romeo and Juliet by constructing gold statues for everyone to praise. Romeo’s irresponsibility and recklessness eventually lead to their overall collapse and failure. The onus is ultimately on Romeo for the deaths and struggle between the Capulets and Montagues.