The real tragedy of "Romeo and Juliet" is that everyone loses

Essay by junetHigh School, 10th gradeA+, March 2004

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In Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet, it was said that the real tragedy is that everyone loses. Clearly the theme of loss frequently confronts each character in their own ways such as their death, loved ones death and star-crossed love. However it is most strikingly developed through the main characters; Romeo, Juliet, Tybalt, Mercutio, Capulet and Montague who seem to be affected by the theme of lost much more personally than other characters. Yet, throughout the play there are traces of optimistic themes such as love and friendship shown in various scenes featuring these same characters. Even though it many seem that Romeo and Juliet has a tragic ending, many if not all the characters lived new experiences showing that they haven't lost everything; the journey is more important than the end. Hence it is incorrect to say that the real tragedy of the play is that everyone loses.

Throughout the play Romeo experiences various forms of lost and also numerous bouts of optimistic emotions. When Tybalt killed Mercutio, Romeo lost his best friend to death and also unwillingly caused his best friend's death by not duelling with Tybalt himself. Furthermore due to Romeo's inaction he lost Mercutio's faith in him just before the death.

The death of a loved one is also something Romeo deals with in the play. When he discovered that Juliet had passed away he feels that life means nothing without her and he sets out to join Juliet in the tomb. He feels the pain of knowing the one person who he truly loves is dead, creating irrational thinking, which in turn kills him.

Even though many events lead to death and loss for Romeo he has also experienced the feeling of love, which many people search for their whole lives but...