Who Was To Blame For Romeo And Juliet's Death Essay

Benny Bridge
2/29/23
Prompt 1 The Death of Two Lovers
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare is said to be the greatest love story ever told. Romeo and Juliet is about two lovers who are forbidden to love one another, due to the feud between the Montagues and the Capulets. Through this violent feud, their love lasts for five days until they ultimately die. However, there are people to blame for their tragic death, Friar Lawrence, the Apothecary, and Balthasar.
The first person to blame for the deaths of the lovers is Friar Lawrence. Friar Lawrence is the character who gives Juliet the potion and starts the tragedy. Friar Lawrence states, “Hold, daughter: I do spy a kind of hope, Which craves as desperate an execution”(4,1,70). This quote shows him admitting to giving Juliet the poison. It was his idea originally to fake Juliet’s death which ultimately led to their deaths. However, he also left Juliet by herself when Romeo was found dead. Friar Lawrence left Juliet in a time of need because he feared being caught and being held accountable for his actions. “Stay not to question, for the watch is coming. Come, go, good Juliet. I dare no longer stay. ”(5,3,155). This quote shows Friar Lawrence making yet another wrong decision and putting him at somewhat of fault for

He sells the poison to Romeo because he is poor. He traded money for himself, for the poison to a child. “My poverty, but not my will, consents.” This shows the apothecary knowing he did something wrong, but not caring enough to stop himself. We see him not have any regret for his actions when he says “Put this in any liquid thing you will, And drink it off; and if you had the strength…”(5,1,80). This quote is the Apothecary showing Romeo how to use it instead of second-guessing himself, and possibly saving his life. The Apothecary had many chances to cancel the trade but didn’t. However, he is not the last person to blame for the lovers’