The tragedy of "Romeo and Juliet"

Essay by sujee27High School, 11th gradeA+, May 2006

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William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" is a story filled with misery and the lack of obedience. It takes part in Verona where two families pour hatred over each other passed on from generations. The hatred between the two families leaves two desperate "star-crossed lovers" in despair and tragedy. In this play many characters may be blamed for the tragedy because they do not do their duty. These certain characters include the motherly nurse, the fiery Tybalt, and the holy Friar Laurence.

First, the nurse who shows profound denial of obeying the Capulets and thus has greatly contributed to the tragedy. The nurse must only play caretaker to Juliet and like her master, Capulet, must show hatred towards the Montague house at all times. The nurse should have only let Juliet do what her parents wanted her to do. Instead the nurse takes the role of Juliet's mother and gives permission to wed Romeo.

"Go thy ways, wench serve God." (Ï, v, line 44) She plays the intermediary between Romeo and Juliet. She then tells Juliet of where to go for the wedding with Romeo Montague. "Then hie you hence to Friar Laurence' cell.| There stays a husband to make you a wife. (V, ii, lines 68-69). She acts far beyond her own role. She should not have stepped up the ladder to be Juliet's mother and plan her wedding. The nurse is certainly one to blame for the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet because she does not do her duty.

Second is the holy Friar Laurence who is also at fault as he does not successfully accomplish his duty as a priest. The friar is responsible for the marriage of Romeo and Juliet and the sleeping potion Juliet drank to avoid the marriage with Paris. When he found out Romeo...