Lord Capulet To Blame In Romeo And Juliet Argumentative Essay Example

Have you ever witnessed love that is so strong that even death cannot break it? The book Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare, is about two lovers who would eventually take their own lives due to their love towards one another. The story ends when Juliet and Romeo make the decision to take their own lives, Romeo poisons himself after seeing Juliet in a death-like sleep and Juliet stabs herself after realizing what Romeo had done. What was the cause for their suicide? Who was to blame? Juliet’s father, Lord Capulet, put emotional stress upon Juliet by engaging in a feud with another family, threatening her to marry someone she didn’t love, and using harsh language toward Juliet which ultimately caused her to fake her death.

Lord Capulet is to blame for Romeo and Juliet’s death because of his long lasting feud with the Montagues. From the start of the teenager's affair, Romeo knew that it would be difficult to love one whom he knows is a part of an opposing family. “Is she a Capulet? O dear account! My life is my foe's debt.” (1.5.119-120). Clearly, Romeo comes to the realization that being in love with Juliet will be dangerous because of the feud between the Montagues and Capulets. Juliet also feels that her love with Romeo was “Too early seen unknown, and known too late!” (1.5.153). If this feud had not taken place, Lord Capulet would have been more accepting if Juliet told him that she loved Romeo. Even Prince Escalus confronts the families and shouts at them for being the cause of the bloodshed, “Capulet! Montague! See, what a scourge is laid upon your hate.”(5.3.291-292). 

Another reason that Lord Capulet is to blame is because he was forcing Juliet to marry Paris, a young suitor who she didn’t love. Even though arranged marriages were normal practices back then, it is still a morally wrong thing to do to his daughter. She felt hopeless because she didn’t have a chance to live a normal and peaceful life with Romeo who she truly loved. Juliet didn’t want to be part of the marriage so she frantically fled to Friar Laurence where they devised the plan which ultimately led to the tragedy at the end of the book. Lord Capulet does not understand that what he does is unjust and even assumes that Juliet should be thankful for the opportunity he is giving her. “How! Will she none? Doth she not give us thanks? Is she not proud?”(3.5.148). 

Lastly, Lord Capulet threatens to kick Juliet out because of her denial toward marrying Paris. He didn’t think about his daughter when she was pleading to stop the marriage. In his own words, “Out, you greensickness carrion! Out, you baggage! Disobedien Instead, he was thinking about himself and his family's honor. “I tell thee what I get thee to church on Thursday or never after look me in the face.” (3.5.162-163). He tells Juliet that there is no backing out and if she doesn’t marry Paris, she will never see him again. 

Some may argue that Lord Capulet is not guilty because he had no direct involvement in the plan that resulted in Romeo and Juliet's deaths. They might think that Friar Laurence was the one guilty because he gave Juliet the potion which caused Romeo to believe she was dead. Even though Friar Laurence gave Juliet the potion which caused Romeo to believe she was dead. Even though Friar Laurence gave Juliet the potion, he intended to save Juliet from an unhappy life with an abusive father. Furthermore, Juliet initially asks for Friar's assistance and threatens to end her life if she has to marry Paris. “Unless thou tell me how I may prevent it. If in thy wisdom thou canst give no help, do thou but call my resolution wise, and with this knife I’ll help it presently.” (4.1.51-54). Friar Laurence had no choice but to help Juliet, or she would end herself. Juliet is desperate to avoid her father’s decision for her to marry Paris.