Who is at Fault in Romeo and Juliet Essay Example

Romeo and Juliet; a book written by William Shakespeare about two star-crossed lovers that abruptly ends in devastation. Romeo and Juliet’s love lasted indefinitely until death, as both characters tragically die in the end. Their society shaped their relationship to be secretive, perlicious, along with reached for desperation. With many characters in their society influencing their decision, there is only one person at fault; Lord Capulet. Lord Capulet is Juliet’s father, including the adversary of Lord Montague, Romeo’s father. A man that is strong willed, and does not like his authority to be challenged or doubted. An emotional and impulsive father that drove not only Juliet to her demise but also Romeo’s. Lord Capulet is ultimately responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet because of his family rivalry, forcing Juliet to marry Paris and his emotional abuse as a father. 

The rivalry between the Montagues and the Capulet’s began before Romeo and Juliet’s time. Furthermore, the deep-rooted hatred between the two families had existed for decades. Both sides are grown up to believe they hate each other. Moreover, the relationship between Juliet and Romeo became a dramatic deal because of Lord Capulet’s hatred.  Juliet’s words after realizing Romeo was a Montague furthermore proves this, “My only love sprung from my only hate!” (Shakespeare 1.5.136). Juliet herself is shocked. She knows that her feelings toward Romeo should be wrong, as her ethics shaped her to believe. Both characters knew their relationship would be a burden. The rivalry between the families makes Juliet hesitate, as a relationship with Romeo would be dangerous. With the fear of rejection from society hanging over the lovers' heads, they are forced to keep their relationship a secret. Nevertheless, Romeo and Juliet prove them wrong with their commitment to each other; representing the theme of love and ethics. This begins the sorrowful love story. This further proves that because of the hatred Lord Captulet holds for the Montague’s, Romeo and Juliet’s relationship was riddled with danger, risk, and secrecy. 

Although Lord Capulet cares for Juliet, he is a very impulsive, stubborn, and impatient father. Paris asked Lord Capulet for Juliet’s hand in marriage, to which Juliet could not give her decision. She was faithfully married to Romeo and Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin, had recently passed away and Juliet was grieving. When she didn’t answer, Lord Capulet’s anger rose. When Paris questioned again, he stated “I think she will be ruled in all respects by me” (3.4.13). Lord Capulet’s dark side is starting to show; patriarchy. He thinks that Juliet would and will do anything for him. He confirms that they will get married. This quotation shows that Lord Capulet does not care for Juliet, as he could not care to ask Juliet what she pleased. He thought the marriage could be a distraction to Tybalt’s death, furthermore, showing he himself is not affected by Tybalt’s death, as he is ready to move on only after a few hours. This connects to the death of Romeo and Juliet, whereas Juliet is forced into a position to act fast and recklessly. The unempathetic decision of Lord Capulet sparked Juliet’s plan, which eventually led to both Romeo and Juliet’s demise. His mindset not only killed Juliet and burdened their relationship, but caused Juliet to make rash decisions. In conclusion, Lord Capulet’s lack of sympathy and need for power made Juliet take impulsive actions that led to her death. 

The emotional abuse Juliet experiences causes her to make reckless actions. Not only her blindness for love toward Romeo motivated her, but the influence and pressure from Lord Capulet made her bend to his will. In the passage, “hang, beg, starve, die in the streets” (3.5.192), Lord Capulet threatens Juliet that he will disown her, if she does not comply and marry Paris. This demonstrates his stubbornness and how way as a father. The abusive words cut into Juliet as if it were a knife, as she sobbed. Juliet even went to the extreme of threatening her own life, but both Capulet and Lady Capulet could not care. This is important because it shows their lack of empathy impacts Juliet severely. Juliet then agreed to Friar Lawrence’s plan, as she would fake her own death, only to end in both lovers dying. The emotional abuse pushed her edge to do the extreme, making rash decisions. With Juliet only being 14, she does not know or have the experience to make the right choice. Her impulsive actions were sparked by her own father, as she was blinded by her love for Romeo, grief for Tybalt, and hatred toward Capulet. In closing, the emotional abuse could push anyone to the edge, as Capulet caused Juliet’s death.

Concisely, even though many factors of society shaped Romeo and Juliet's relationship, Lord Capulet is ultimately responsible for the death of both Romeo and Juliet. He is responsible because of his family rivalry, forcing Juliet to marry Paris, and the emotional abuse he made Juliet suffer. With Capulet’s domineering personality, Romeo and Juliet have to make decisions around him in secret. They knew their choices and relationship were dangerous, as they bent to the fear of Lord Capulet. Inconsolably, the risks taken in the end led to the star-crossed lovers taking their love to the grave.