Literature Essay Sample: Who Is to Blame for Romeo and Juliets Death?

In the drama, The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet By: William Shakespeare two teenagers by the names of Romeo and Juliet fall in love at first sight. The story takes place in Verona, a place where two families hate each other, the Montagues and Capulets. Undoubtedly, Romeo is a Montague and Juliet is a Capulet, so they cannot fall in love or it will be the death of both of them.  But what if I told you that: “A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life” (Shakespeare 183)? Because of the lack of better judgment and the selfish ambition of foolish love Juliet caused the deaths of both herself and her love Romeo. But other characters played a part in the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. 

Juliet’s blindness throughout the play contributed to the death of herself and Romeo. Throughout the story, Juliet and Romeo fall more and more in love with each other. Juliet expresses her love for Romeo very strongly when she says: “Come, gentle night, come, loving black-browed night, Give me my Romeo, and when I shall die, Take him and cut him out in little stars” (Shakespeare 234). And because this strong bond between the two lovers, ended up costing them their lives. Also, this quote shows how deeply she wanted Romeo even though they had just gotten married. Juliet knows that they cannot love each other but she decides to foolishly create a deep love for Romeo, which blinds her. Even Mercutio foreshadows this when he states: “Love that is blind cannot hit the mark.” (Shakespeare 208). We can see that Mercutio saw where Romeo and Juliet were headed but they still didn’t listen. We see this happen on many occasions throughout the play. And in this quote, Mercutio says “blind love” this goes to show that there is a difference between prudent love and blind love. In the prologue of the play, it states that Romeo and Juliet should have never even been together when it states: “A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life” (Shakespeare 183). In the story, two lovers (Romeo and Juliet) come across each other and end up taking both of their lives. Also, the term “star-crossed lovers” means opposed by the stars, this means that even though they love each other fate and reality will meet ends, which turns out to be death in this case.

Romeo’s lack of prudence lead to his and his wife’s death. Romeo made some exceedingly immoral choices; he didn't even try to think twice about his life or not when he says: "Here's to my love, O true apothecary, thy drugs are quick, thus with a kiss I die” (Shakespeare 272). This quote shows us that he didn’t care whether he lived or died. All that Romeo cared about was his wife whom he’s only been married to for 24 or less. Romeo’s love for Juliet was foolishly deep. This is indicated when he says: “My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep; the more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite” (Shakespeare 212). Romeo has known Juliet for less than 24 hours, but he is extremely dramatic like he has known her for years. Only an inadvisable person would fall into such deep love in such a short duration of time.  

Friar’s choices also played a part in the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. Friar Laurence is the reason that Romeo acquired poison in the first place, we can see this when he says: “There is thy gold, worse poison to men's souls, Doing more murder in this loathsome world, Than these poor compounds that thou mayst not sell” (Shakespeare 268). Friar Laurence shouldn’t have even told Romeo that he had any poison. And if Friar wouldn’t have sold Romeo the poison, Romeo never would have died, and neither would Juliet.

Finally,  this essay has brought to light all of the reckless decisions of Juliet, Romeo, and Friar Laurence leading up to Romeo and Juliet both dying. Juliet’s blindness, Romeo’s failure to look at the future, and Friar Laurence’s lack of common sense were all factors of Romeo and Juliet’s death. From this drama, it is crystal clear that our parents influence the choices that we make in our love lives. So will young men and women of tomorrow be blown like a leaf by their parent’s wind? Or will they break through the barriers and see the silver lining in the storm?