How far are Romeo and Juliet victims of events beyond their control, and how far can they be said to be responsible for their own sufferings Essay Example For Students

How far are Romeo and Juliet victims of events beyond their control, and how far can they be said to be responsible for their own sufferings? Essay William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet is a romantic tragedy set in 16th Century Verona. The play features events involving the star crossd lovers and incorporates the key themes of love, hate and fate. It is commonly argued that the latter theme is evidently responsible for the lovers suicides, however I am going to discuss how far this can be said. Although I believe it was fate that began their forbidden relationship, the responsibility to end it was in their own hands, and as they did not, the characters can also accept some of the blame. The play opens with a sonnet introducing the three main themes, and also informing the audience of how the plot would unfold. Romeo came from the Montague family, and Juliet from the Capuluet, two houses involved in a long-term feud. A pair of star-crossd lovers take their life ; Shakespeares use of star crossd lovers portrays how the characters are opposed by, and will fight fate. The word star could also represent this theme, as the word is a connotation of destiny such as in the phrase its written in the stars. This suggests their deaths were destined to take place. Another key idea Shakespeare has used is the singular word life, conveying that Romeo and Juliets love was so deep, their lives were entwined. An additional phrase in the prologue that states the lovers eventual death was due to fate is death-markd, enhancing the idea that it was not their fault. Although the prologue in general claims fate was responsible for Romeo and Juliets death, there are counter arguments for this. Is she a Capulet? O dear account! My life is my foes debt. The character Romeo speaks these words during the Montagues party, very early on in the play. It is evidence he knows that by continuing his love for Juliet, trouble will erupt. The words My life is my foes debt could be interpreted as foretelling the ending to the play, as he is saying he owes his life to his enemy. Although Romeo and Juliet were well aware of the consequences of their relationship, they continued it, defying their parents trust. This is something that would have been highly frowned upon both at the time it was written, and the period in which it was set. Family would have been regarded as a high priority, especially as they were who generally arranged marriages, choosing someone specifically sufficient for the family. Both Romeo and Juliet abandon their families for each other. Ill no longer be a Capulet. Shakespeare has written Juliets words in a way that they show determination, and that she treasures her very recently found love more than those who will be with her all his life. An audience of when the play was written may view this as a selfish act, that one could rid their family for their own benefit, and their actions would be greatly frowned upon. The fact that Romeo and Juliet knew what their relationship could potentially lead to didnt stop them, and they made the choice to continue it. Furthermore, this greatly contradicts that their death was a result of fate, because your destiny is said to be something uncontrollable, However when you make a choice, you are initially deciding how the future will plan out. Nonetheless, there are two tolerant characters in the play that influence their choices. The first is Friar Laurence, who can be interpreted as Romeos father figure. He encourages their relationship, believing it to solve the family feud. .ub33432faa7fc9212ea8bea8b51d8d73a , .ub33432faa7fc9212ea8bea8b51d8d73a .postImageUrl , .ub33432faa7fc9212ea8bea8b51d8d73a .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ub33432faa7fc9212ea8bea8b51d8d73a , .ub33432faa7fc9212ea8bea8b51d8d73a:hover , .ub33432faa7fc9212ea8bea8b51d8d73a:visited , .ub33432faa7fc9212ea8bea8b51d8d73a:active { border:0!important; } .ub33432faa7fc9212ea8bea8b51d8d73a .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ub33432faa7fc9212ea8bea8b51d8d73a { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ub33432faa7fc9212ea8bea8b51d8d73a:active , .ub33432faa7fc9212ea8bea8b51d8d73a:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ub33432faa7fc9212ea8bea8b51d8d73a .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ub33432faa7fc9212ea8bea8b51d8d73a .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ub33432faa7fc9212ea8bea8b51d8d73a .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ub33432faa7fc9212ea8bea8b51d8d73a .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ub33432faa7fc9212ea8bea8b51d8d73a:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ub33432faa7fc9212ea8bea8b51d8d73a .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ub33432faa7fc9212ea8bea8b51d8d73a .ub33432faa7fc9212ea8bea8b51d8d73a-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ub33432faa7fc9212ea8bea8b51d8d73a:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Eddie and Marco fighting EssayVirtue itself turns vice, being misapplied, And vice sometimes by action dignified. The philosophical belief of the Friar is that evil can transform to good by the right action. In this case, Romeo and Juliets love will end the hate between the Montagues and Capulets, again evidence of a Love Vs Hate theme. Shakespeare has used a rhyming couplet to show the significance of the phrase, perhaps hinting to the end of the play. This is because the lovers deaths do eventually release the feud between the families, indicating that they are the right action. His help to crave and my dear hap to tell. Shakespeares use of the word hap also draws the audiences eye to the key themes of the play, and how the plot will unfold, as the word means fate. It can also convey that Romeo believes Friar Laurence holds his fate therefore could be portrayed that he was partly responsible for the lovers deaths. This supports the argument that they were indeed victims of fate, the fate that lay in the hands of the friar. The other tolerant character in the play and also very close to Juliet is the Nurse, which shows a parallel relationship to that of Romeo and Friar Lawrences. The Nurse is a surrogate mother to Juliet, and in both relationships the parent-figure does the wrong thing for the right reason, thus a paradox. This is because both would never have imagined that by letting Romeo and Juliet continuing their relationship, it would consequence in their deaths. A strong argument that Romeo and Juliet had themselves to blame for their fortune, is Tybalts killing. Had Romeo not killed the Capulet, his banishment would have not taken place and their lives may have been saved. This argument is expressed in the following quote. This days black fate on mo days doth depend; An audience would interpret this quote to state that the day Romeo killed Tybalt, would influence and effect the days to come. Black denotes evil, and bad which shows these days would be merciless. Shakespeare has also used alliteration at the end of the quote, which focuses the audience on the final words of the quote, setting out the rest of the play. The character Romeos actions also only greatened the hate between the two families that shows he was also partly responsible for the deaths. Although, ultimately this feud had nothing whatsoever to do with the lovers, as the prologue states ancient grudge. The hate already existing only commenced the chain of events leading up to their suicide, putting their families in the blame. It was this hate that killed their love, but their love that came out strongest and consequently destroying the original hate. It is also interesting to examine the lovers beliefs. O, I am Fortunes fool. These words, spoken by Romeos character shortly after killing Tybalt sum up their view. He has blamed the entire series of negative events on fate and refuses to accept any responsibility, even blaming Tybalts death on fate. He believes he is at war with fortune, and that it continuously plays around with him and his emotions. A greater power than we can contradict Hath thwarted our intents : Shakespeare states that whatever the characters intended, fate has already ruined. The key factors of the play that lead up to the star crossd lovers deaths can be placed in a responsibility pyramid; with fate being the main cause, the Nurse and the Friar contributing but also Romeo and Juliet. Nonetheless, the choices that they made were what caused the run of tragic events, however without fate, the lovers would never have encountered the suffering they did. Therefore Romeo and Juliet were victims of events beyond their control, but also contributed themselves.