In this essay I will be exploring the reasons as to why some people would argue that a certain person or people are to blame for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet.
I will show understanding of the plot, character and themes and Shakesperes use of language and dramatic devices within the play.
Firstly, some people believe that the parents of Romeo and Juliet were to blame for their deaths because of the ongoing feud between the two families. The argument between the Montague’s and Capulets is mentioned in the prologue, ‘Two households, both alike in dignity, in fair Verona where we lay our scene, from ancient grudge break, to new mutiny, where civil hands make civil hands unclean, from forth the fatal loins of these two foes ... doth with their death bury their parents strife, the fearful passage of their parents rage’. The point is made, that if the two families did not have such hatred for each other, it would not have resulted in the deaths of the two ‘star crossed lovers’, Romeo and Juliet. It is almost certain that if the parents had gotten on right from the start, they would not have had a problem with the love that Romeo and Juliet shared and they would have let them get married to each other with probably no hesitation. ‘Disobedient wretch… get the to church a’ Thursday, or never after look me in the face.’ (3.5) this quote shows the pressure Juliets father put on her to marry Paris. If Lord and Lady Capulet had given Juliet their full support when growing up they may have understood her feelings for Romeo, therefore Juliet would not have had to go out of her way to try and stop the marriage her parents had arranged to one of the most important men in Verona, Paris.
Some may argue that Juliet’s parents, Lord and Lady Capulet were more responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. ‘When it did taste the warmwood on the nipple.’ (1.3) This quote backs up that the nurse had been more of a mother figure