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Answer the following prompt with a well-structured paragraph that includes:
-a one-sentence, arguable claim (your answer)
-context (leading in to your quote)
-a properly formatted quote (with Act, Scene, and Lines)
-commentary (explaining WHY/HOW your quote supports your claim)
After you leave your answer, refresh the page and begin to read the responses of your classmates. Leave comments for them.
You must leave AT LEAST THREE very thoughtful comments.
You should do as many quality comments as you can until the time has run out.
IMPORTANT
Your comments should go way beyond merely saying "I liked your answer" etc. Instead, ask each other questions and leave detailed reactions. Discuss what parts of each others' answers you agree/disagree with and WHY.
Remember: the purpose of a Socratic is to get to NEW and DEEPER truths about the question -- not to WIN an argument. In other words, you are trying to use each others' responses to make each other think in new ways about the information.
Some possible starters:
I agree with you that _________, but I also think that ___________.
When you write ______________ it makes me also think that ________________________.
When you say _______________, do you mean to suggest that _______________________?
What if __________________? Would you still say ___________?
Etc.
Lord Capulet is to blame for Romeo and Juliet's deaths. He put lots of pressure on young Juliet to marry Paris, and when she disagreed, without thinking about his daughter's feelings, he said "But fettle your fine joints 'gainst Thursday next,/ To go with Paris to Saint Peter's Church,/ Or I will drag thee on a hurdle thither./ Out, you green-sickness carrion!" (3.5, 161-164). Lord Capulet is telling Juliet that unless she marries Paris, she will be kicked out of the Capulet's home. Marriage is something that should not be forced upon people, especially by their loved ones. This outburst from her father caused Juliet to feel the need to take drastic measures, such as drinking a potion to make her look dead to avoid her wedding with Paris, which eventually led to her and Romeo's deaths.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that Juliet's Father, Lord Capulet, is one of the many influences that ended her life. However, I would also think that her mother, Lady Capulet, is also one of the influences that led to Juliet's death because also kept pressuring Juliet to marry Prince Paris.
DeleteI agree that Lord Capulet is putting unnecessary pressure on Juliet to marry Paris. She was already in love with Romeo and the thought that her own father was forcing her to marry someone she did not love was hard for her to handle. This pressure to marry someone would make many people feel as though they have limited options to escape a life of unhappiness.
DeleteI agree with you that Lord Capulet was putting a lot of pressure on his only daughter to get married to Paris, but I also think that if Friar Lawrence's plan had worked out smoothly, Romeo and Juliet would not have died. Getting married at an early age was the norm of the time period. Do you think that Lord Capulet was pushing her too hard?
DeleteMartin, yes I do think that Lord Capulet was pushing her too hard to marry Paris. I agree that getting married at an early age was the norm back then, but in the beginning of the play, Lord Capulet was showing his concern for young people getting married. I wonder what changed Lord Capulet's mindset? But overall, Lord Capulet should've thought of Juliet's own feelings and considered her say in the marriage.
DeleteI agree with you that Lord Capulet put Juliet in a difficult situation with no way out except being disowned by her family. But if Juliet refused to marry Paris, she would no longer be a Capulet and be with Romeo instead, don't you think? Seeing that she doesn't care about what her family thinks anymore when she decides to continue his relationship with Romeo.
DeleteAfter reading many of these posts, I agree that Lord Capulet played a large role in the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. Would your opinion have changed if instead of Lord Capulet pressuring Juliet into the marriage, it was her mother or different character from the story? I do have to agree that Lord Capulet neglected Juliet's opinions, wants, and desires completely.
DeleteLeah, I agree with you that Lord Capulet should have thought of Juliet's feelings and considered her say in the marriage, but I also think that if she was to tell her father about caring for the foe's son, either way she probably would of end on the streets.
DeleteWill, if the person who pressures Juliet is a different character. I believe that the outcome will vary on the type of person. If the person is in command of Juliet such as her mother, Juliet would have probably commit suicide. However, a different character persuading Juliet to marry Prince Paris such as Friar Laurence would have a different result. Maybe Juliet wouldn't listen to him and still get together with Romeo.
DeleteWill, I don't think my opinion would have changed if Lady Capulet acted the same way as her husband, but maybe if it were another character. Parent's have the most influence on children and should be the ones who love their children the most. When a child's parent pressures them into something they obviously don't want, they are causing their child to be put in a horrible situation with conflicting emotions. Juliet either had to go along with an unwanted marriage or betray the people she loves most in the world, her parents.
DeleteIn Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”, Juliet’s cousin Thybalt ultimately sealed the fate for Romeo and Juliet upon killing Mercrutio. In Act 3 Scene 2, Thybalt meets up with Mercrutio and Benvolio and he slains Mercrutio. Mercrutio lays in pain as Benvolio is sent to get a surgeon to help him. When Benvolio returns, he announces that Mercrutio has passed away. Romeo avenges his death by ultimately killing Thybalt right before the prince came and announces, “And for that offense, Immediately we do exile him in hense” (3.2,195-6). When the Prince exiles Romeo, this created a chain reaction which ends with the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet.Tracing back to the root of this chain reaction leads to Thybalt slaying Mercrutio in the first place. If Mercrutio and Thybalt hadn’t dueled, Romeo would have never slain Thybalt and been exiled.
ReplyDeleteTybalt*
DeleteIf Tybalt had never been killed, do you think that it might have changed who's fault it was? What do you think would have happened if Romeo had never killed Tybalt, and had exiled him like he did with Romeo? Would that have changed your outlook? Tybalt is very antagonistic, and without him being dead, he might have intervened and found out what was really happening with Romeo and Juliet.
DeleteDaniel
DeleteAlthough the killing of Tybalt did result in Romeo being kicked out of the city, Wouldn't you agree that either way Romeo and Juliet would not have been allowed to marry anyway. Their parents already hated each other.
Tyler, I agree with you that even if Tybalt didn't die and the incoming events didn't happen, sooner or later, the revelation of Romeo and Juliet's relationship would still be disastrous because Tybalt strongly hated the Montagues.
DeleteDaniel
DeleteEven though the killing of Tybalt did result in Romeo getting exiled from Verona. Then what if Romeo never met Juliet at the part, would you still think that Tybalt is to blame for Their death?
Friar John is most to blame for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. After Juliet threatens to kill herself in Friar Lawrence’s cell if Friar Lawrence does not come up with a plan to prevent her marriage to Paris, Friar Lawrence sets in motion a very delicate plan which requires every single step to occur perfectly for its success. All of the parts were working smoothly, up until the point where Friar John was supposed to deliver Friar Lawrence’s important message to Romeo. When Friar John returns to Friar Lawrence’s cell, he informs Friar Lawrence that, “I could not send it (here it is again) /Nor get a messenger to bring it thee” (5.3.14-15). Because Friar John was unable to give Romeo the letter, Romeo did not know that Juliet was not dead, but rather would wake up in forty-two hours time. If Romeo had known that Juliet was not actually deceased, Romeo would not have bought or downed the poison from the apothecary. But being as uninformed as he was, Romeo killed himself with the poison, causing Juliet to stab herself to prevent a life without Romeo. This sequence of events unfolded like toppling dominoes, and by removing the first domino, the failure of Friar John to deliver the message, the deaths of Romeo and Juliet may have been prevented.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Friar John's inability to deliver the letter to Romeo led to the death of Romeo and Juliet. However, I believ that Friar Laurence is to blame because he was the person to give Juliet the potion in the first place. Without this plan to make her appear dead, it would not matter if Romeo had received a letter or not. He and Juliet would have been both been conscious and able to live out the remainder of their lives together.
DeleteI agree with you that if Friar John had delivered the message, the deaths could have been prevented. However, what if it was actually impossible for Friar John to get the message to Romeo? He may have done his best, but simply had not been able to do it.
DeleteI agree that Friar John was the one who were responsible for delivering the letter, but what if Balthasar told Romeo about Juliet's death before he got the letter from the Friar. Would you the still say that Friar John was the one to blame for their death?
DeleteFriar Laurence is to blame for the death of Romeo and Juliet. When Juliet is talking to the friar before she is to marry Paris, Friar Laurence takes pity on her and decides to help her avoid the marriage. In order to do this he tells Juliet to “Take thou this vial being then in bed,/ And this distilling liquor drink thou off;/ When presently through all thy veins shall run/ A cold and drowsy humor; for no pulse” (4.1, 95-98). He gives Juliet a poison that will make her seem as though she is dead. This inevitably causes Romeo to mourn her death and kill himself with a fatal poison. If the poison had not been given to her by the friar, she would not have seemed to be dead to Romeo. This would have allowed Juliet to live a happy life with romeo after she had been given another way to avoid the marriage to Paris.
ReplyDeleteWhat if Juliet had killed herself with a dagger in Friar Lawrence's cell like she threatened to if Friar Lawrence would not act? Would you still say that it is Friar Lawrence's fault that both Romeo and Juliet died?
DeleteI agree with you that if Juliet had not been given the poison, she and Romeo would not be dead. However, if she had not received it, wouldn't she have married Paris? That might have led to Romeo and Juliet's lives being ruined, which could lead to them committing suicide.
DeleteI agree completely with you Douglas, but also think about Friar John. Friar Lawrence did take responsibility of trying to tell Romeo about his plan, but he decided to have someone else do his work for him, and therefore the letter never got delivered to Romeo. I blame the Friar, but at least he took the liberty to try to tell Romeo.
DeleteI agree that Friar Lawrence's plan for Juliet to escape marrying Paris had a high chance of going wrong. His idea was very drastic and unnecessary. What do you think Friar Lawrence should have done instead to help Juliet escape the unwanted marriage?
DeleteReply to Martin:
DeleteI believe that Juliet would not have killed herself until she knew for certain that Romeo and she could not be together. There is not enough proof for her at that time to make this judgement. In addition Friar Lawrence could have acted in a different way such as making an escape plan. He did not have to give her that poison.
Douglas,
DeleteI agree with you that Friar Laurence's decision to give Juliet the potion was the key to the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. But I also think that Juliet still had the choice to not take the poison, which could of saved their lives. If Juliet thought about the outcomes of drinking the potion through for a good amount of time, she would probably not drink the potion and save her own life.
Reply to Leah: I agree with you when you said that Friar Lawrence's plan with the poison had a high probability of going wrong, but I also believe that Juliet knew the risks of the poison when she decided to follow through with it. In response to your question, I think that Friar Lawrence could have used his status to try and delay the wedding, until Juliet and him could make a more concrete plan.
DeleteDouglas
DeleteAlthough the poison was a very important factor, I believe she would have still killed herself if the Friar did nothing. I think that if the Friar calmed her down and told her that other men were also available their t=deaths might have been saved.
Reply to Alana:
DeleteI agree that Friar Lawrence should have used his status to delay if not stop the wedding. He also should have known about the possible outcomes if Juliet had used the poison. He is a wise man and should have known that a fatal outcome could have come out of this.
In Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare i think that the person who is most to blame for the death of Romeo and Juliet is Benvolio. Because in act 1 scene 2-3 Benvolio is the one who wants Romeo to get over Rosaline and go to the party at the Capulet's to compare Rosaline against others, to find a new girl. He says “With all the admired beauties of Verona. go thither and with unattained eye, compare her face with some that I shall show, and I will make thee think thy swan a crow”(1.3 90-95). Benvolio talks Romeo into going to the party to find a new girl, but if Benvolio never had heard anything about the party at the Capulet's, then him and Romeo wouldn't have gone there. Then Romeo would never actually met Juliet and fell in love with her. If Benvolio didn't talk Romeo into going to the party none of them would have died.
ReplyDeleteEmil,
DeleteI agree that Benvolio did ultimately sealed the fates of Romeo and Juliet. However, In Act 1 Scene 1, Romeo does mention that he is feeling sad over the fact that Rosaline will live a life of Chastity and does not love him back. Just like Juliet, sadness can grow into depression which can lead to death such as Juliet when she drank the potion to escape the pain she is suffering. What if Romeo's sadness grew more and more if he had never met Juliet to change his ways?
Reply to Daniel: In response to your question, I think that Romeo's sadness would have eventually subsided. Although in that scene it may seem that he will never be happy again, I think he was being overly emotional. Plus, I think, Benvolio and the rest of his family would support him, and would keep trying to encourage him to overcome his sadness.
DeleteWill, I agree that Benvolio urged Romeo to attend the Capulet's party, but Romeo could have bumped in to Juliet at the party regardless of his cousin's advice. Are there any other scenes in the play that Benvolio may have had an influence in Romeo and Juliet's deaths? I like your approach, however, and you had a great quote!
ReplyDeleteLeah, you make a good point that Romeo could have been bumped into the party without the urges from his cousin, however would Romeo have the same emotions towards women other than Rosaline. If Benvolio hadn't influenced his emotions as well as his actions, would Romeo have the same encounter with Juliet, if they even met?
DeleteDidn't Romeo reject Benvolio's advice at first? He went to the party determined to win back Rosaline, but at the first sight of Juliet, he forgot all about his first love. Benvolio didn't affect Romeo's decision to marry Juliet, it was all a decision of Romeo's heart.
DeleteI believe that Friar Lawrence is to blame for Romeo and Juliet’s death based on how Friar Lawrence marries them, causing them to be committed to one another automatically. After Romeo accidentally accepts the invitation to the Capulet's feast, he sees the Capulet’s daughter, Juliet. Romeo then falls in love, and confronts her about it. They decide to get married, without any haste. Romeo asks the Friar if he will marry him and Juliet. The Friar says enthusiastically, “For this alliance may so happy prove, /To turn your households' rancour to pure love.” (2.3, 98-99). The Friar is to blame because of his own thoughts. He thinks that if Romeo and Juliet get married without anybody knowing, it will strengthen the relationship between the Montagues and the Capulets. Without this marriage, Romeo and Juliet may still be alive, figuring out how to get married, but in a more public and agreeable way. The Friar is to blame for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet.
ReplyDeleteDo you believe that Friar Lawrence has the power to refuse the marriage of Romeo and Juliet? Also, did you mean "without any haste" or "with haste" because they got married within two days of their meeting at the Capulet party.
DeleteTyler, although I agree that the marriage did strengthen their bond, dont you think that if they didnt get married they might have killed themselves so that they could be together?
DeleteThe person responsible for the death of Romeo and Juliet is Benvolio. Romeo is upset that Rosaline, his lover at the time, does not like him back. Benvolio says to Romeo, "Tut, man, one fire burns out another's burning, | One pain is lessen'd by another's anguish (1,2,319). Benvolio tells Romeo that there are plenty of other women out there. He tells him to not get caught up over Rosaline and move on to other fair maidens. Benvolio therefore caused Romeo to be on the lookout for other women, like Juliet.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that Benvolio is to blame for the death of Romeo and Juliet, and that he made Romeo go on the lookout for other women. However i also think that if Romeo never went to the Party at the Capulet's and met Juliet. Then none of them would be dead.
DeleteWill, I don't think Benvolio is directly responsible for their deaths. Romeo's progress with Rosaline is going downhill anyways so he would've killed himself if it does. Eitherway, he dies.
DeleteWill, I agree that it was Benvolio fault for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. Without him urging Romeo would have never gone to that feast. Benvolio was the one that made Romeo go to the feast maybe he didn't mean for all that to happend, but because of him the met
DeleteI agree with you that Benvolio is the reason Romeo and Juliet met, but is their meeting the reason they died? Benvolio was simply trying to help Romeo move on. He had no idea that it would lead to Romeo and Juliet getting married and then dying.
DeleteI don't think that Benvolio was completely responsible. Benvolio said to look for other women, but he didn't tell Romeo to look for Juliet specifcally.
DeleteI agree Benvolio had a role in their death but it was ultimately Romeo' decision to look t other women. If Romeo was not so love sick, he would not have needed to go to that party and look for his newest love interest.
DeleteChian, Yes Romeo would have died either way, but the prompt clearly states who was responsible for both Romeo and Juliet. Juliet most likely wouldn't have died without the combined actions of Benvolio and Lord Capulet.
DeleteWill, I agree with Chin on the point that Benvolio was "directly responsible" for their death. I do however, think that It was his actions that put into motion the eventual death of Romeo and Juliet. No matter how innocent his intentions. So i agree wit you in that aspect
DeleteIn response to everyone:
DeleteBenvolio did tell Romeo to attend the Capulet's party. However, it is Romeo's decision to look for a women. Benvolio could have brought Romeo to the party and Romeo could never find Juliet. Ultimately, Romeo's decision to look for a girl sealed the fates of Juliet and Romeo's life.
Friar Lawrence is secretive and scheming, leading to the deaths of Romep and Juliet. When Paris informs Friar Lawrence that the wedding is scheduled on Thursday, Juliet breaks down and tells him that she'd rather die than marry Paris. Friar Lawrence concocts a plan and says, "Hold, daughter, I do spy a kind of hope, Which craves as desperate an execution/ If, rather than to marry County Paris, Thou hast the strength of will to slay thyself." (4.1, 183) Considering Juliet's age and state of mind, Friar Lawrence should've thought twice and thought of the consequences. His plan is reckless and full of loopholes. Juliet is vulnerable and Friar Lawrence gives her a false sense of hope. Juliet believes him because she is too blinded with love and too desperate for an escape that she resorts to death and deceives her family. Friar Lawrence is a priest which means he should be more reasonable. His thoughtless plan backfires and cause three people to die; Paris, Romeo and Juliet.
ReplyDeleteYou say that Juliet is too young for the plan. What if Juliet was older than she is? Would the plan have worked better then?
DeleteChin, I agree with you that Friar Lawrence should of been more careful of Juliet because of her age and that she is a lot vulnerable than any of the other characters. But what if she was around everyone else's age? How would that affect her mindset? Would have she killed herself or not?
DeleteParis is responsible for the killings of Romeo and Juliet. Because Paris wants to marry Juliet, Romeo challenges him and they both fight. Romeo drinks the poison and says, "Thy drugs are quick," (5.3.120). Because of his hatred towards Paris, Romeo drinks the poison. This causes Juliet to kill herself as well. Paris is the cause of the killings of Romeo and Juliet.
ReplyDeleteAlthough Paris is a more direct reason of why Romeo and Juliet died, would you not agree that there was were other culprits that also ultimately contributed in the death of both Romeo and Juliet?
DeleteParis was not aware that Juliet was previously married to Romeo when he dueled with Romeo. Would that change your perspective on how Paris feels that he should defend who was just hours away from becoming his bride?
DeleteLord Capulet is most to blame for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. Shortly after Romeo’s exile, Lord Capulet assures Count Paris that he will marry Juliet that Thursday. When he tells Juliet, however, she refuses. In response to this, Lord Capulet says, “An you be not, hang, beg, starve, die in the streets,/For, by my soul, I’ll ne’er acknowledge thee,/Nor what is mine shall never do thee good” (3.5.204-206). The phrase “I’ll ne’er acknowledge thee” shows how Lord Capulet forces Juliet to marry Paris or else she will be disowned. He will hear none of her arguments about being too young. Already being married to Romeo, Juliet has refused, but at the threat of being thrown into the street there is little she can do. This leads Juliet to drink the sleeping potion, which tricks Romeo and leads to the death of both.
ReplyDeleteI like your way of thinking. I agree with you that Juliet was being heavily pressured to marry Count Paris, but do you think there could have been a reason for this that us readers have not uncovered? Strong quote by the way. There were many instances where Lord Capulet is forcing an unwanted marriage but the one you chose really supports your argument.
DeleteI agree with you Albin. Lord Capulet pretty much threatened Juliet to disown her from her own family if she did not marry Count Paris. Lord Capulet just wanted his daughter to have a good life, and he was just looking out for her. But Juliet was her own person, and she could have decided herself if she had wanted to marry Count Paris instead of Romeo.
DeleteWill, there may have been a reason we readers do not know of, such as money or nobility, but it is never mentioned in the story.
DeleteBenvolio is to blame for for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. In act 1 scene 2 Benvolio and Romeo are walking in a street in Verona when a serving man comes up to them. The servingman ask Romeo if he could read and Romeo says yes. After Romeo reads the letter they find out that there will be feast at the Capulets house . Benvolio tells Romeo “ compare her face with some that I shall show”(1.2,,93). This quote shows us how Benvolio is the one that tells Romeo to go the feast to meet other women. He says that they should go to the feast so that Romeo can get over Rosaline who Romeo can't get over. Without Benvolio they never would have met at the feast .If Romeo never went to the feast he would have never met Juliet causing them to love each other and die for each other.
ReplyDeleteThis is a valid point that you make. if Benvolio had not encouraged Romeo to go to the party he would have never seen Juliet. Despite this it was still romeo's decision to go to the party and to flirt with Juliet. I would say Romeo had more control and responsibility for their death.
DeleteI somewhat agree with with Alfredo because if Benvolio would have not said anything to Romeo then Romeo would have maybe never have met Juliet. But I also disagree because I believe that Romeo and Juliet were ment to fall in love and die to stop the hatered that their families had
DeleteMartin, you have a really compelling and convincing argument, and I like how you talked about the domino effect, because that was a huge cause of Romeo and Juliet's deaths. What do you think Friar John could have done to successfully deliver the letter and avoid the quarantine situation?
ReplyDeleteI do not believe that it is Friar John's fault that he could not avoid the quarantine situation, but I do think he is the most to blame. I believe that there is a subtle difference between the words "fault" and "blame."
DeleteBenvolio above all is most to blame for the death of Romeo and Juliet. As Benvolio and the heartbroken Romeo walk down the streets of Verona, Romeo is asked to read a letter out loud to a serving man who himself cannot read. Whilst Romeo reads it becomes apparent that this is a guest list to an upcoming party at which, Rosalyn; the girl whom romeo loves, will be attending. Benvolio then had the brilliant idea to go to the party so that Romeo could snap out of his infatuation with Rosalyn. To convince Romeo to attend the party he says "Go thither, and with unattainted eye, Compare her face with some that I shall show, And I will make thee think thy swan a crow."(1.2.92-94) Although Benvolio never could have known the consequences of Romeos attending this party, it was his actions and words that set into motion the chain event that lead to the loving marriage and eventual death of Romeo and Juliet.
ReplyDeleteBen, I agree that Benvolio is to blame for. Without him making Romeo go to the feast none of that would have ever happen. I also agree that Benvolio could have never known the consequences of what he said and and as Romeo cousin all he was trying to do is help his cousin get over Rosaline.
DeleteIs it possible that Benvolio should have felt guilty for Romeo's actions though? If he could not have known the consequences then, why did he not try to stop a worse outcome before Romeo took action?
DeleteBen, Romeo did show signs of sadness in Acts 1 Scene 1 when Benvolio and Romeo had a talk with each other. Romeo's sadness is triggered when Rosaline refuses to love him back and live a life of chastity. If this sadness continues, Romeo might of commit suicide as well just like how Juliet escaped the world when she was forced to marry Prince Paris.
DeleteDaniel, I recognize that at the time Benvolio suggested they go to the party, Romeo's mind was not in a good place. But I think it would be highly unlikely for Romeo to commit suicide over Rosalyn, when the decision was difficult even with Juliet, whom he loved many times more than Rosalyn.
DeleteBoth the Montegues and the Capulets are for to blame for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. Because of the hatred of each other, it affected Romeo and Juliet for they are not able to see each other at all after they fell in love. The rekindling of the hatred and the grudge between the two families sent the lovers into ending their own lives to be with each other for the rest of eternity. In the beginning of the play, the chorus says. "From ancient grudge break to new mutiny./ Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean./ From forth the fatal loins of these two foes/ A pair of star-crossed lovers that take their life;/ Whose misadventured piteous overthrows/ Doth with their death bury their parents' strife./ The fearful passage of their death-marked love/ And the continuance of their parents' rage," (Prologue: 4-10). The given quote supports the claim that both families are to blame for their own children's death by not stopping the war the two families have had in the past. By rekindling the civil disturbance once again, the children were not able to be a relationship together and deciding to end their lives together.
ReplyDeleteI really like your argument because in the end, everyone had a part in causing Romeo and Juliet's deaths. It was not one person's fault, but rather every Montague and Capulet, for their hatred made Romeo and Juliet's love prohibited in the first place. Great analysis!
DeleteMagaly, I agree that it's both the Montegues and Capulets fault. If there wasn't so much hate between them everything would have been so different. There love for each other would have been allowed. The hate between the both familles was what made their love impossible that what made Juliet fake her death so that she can run away with Romeo. Which made them end their lives together.
DeleteI believe that The families of Montague and Capulet are at fault for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet because of their outdated feud, which they continue to refuse to forgive each other for, despite the constant pleading of The Prince. I think this blame of the Montague and Capulet feud was best justified in the aftermath of the tragedy when The Prince says, "Where be these enemies- Capulet, Montague?/ See what scourge is laid upon your hate/ That heaven finds means to kill your joys with love/ And I, for winking at your discords too/ Have lost a brace of kinsmen. All are punished." (5.3 301-304) when overlooking the deaths in the Capulet vault. This quote shows clearly that The Prince is blaming the two families for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet, especially when he says "See what scourge is laid upon your hate?" This feud led to the constant street fights between supporters of the two houses, fights like this provoked Tybalt and Mercutio to fight, where Mercutio and Tybalt died and Romeo was exiled as a result.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that the families of Montague and Capulet are to blame for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet, I like also like how you included that the Prince himself blamed both the Families.What do you would have happened if say Tybalt and Mercutio didn't die, would it change anything?
DeleteAlthough, I think that even though Romeo would'nt have been exiled because of killing Tybalt, Romeo and Juliet's love would have still been considered taboo, because of the feud.
DeleteLord Capulet is most to blame for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. Lord Capulet wants Juliet to marry Paris, although Juliet tells him that she does not love Paris, he says “Thank me no thankings, nor, proud me no prouds,/But fettle your fine joints 'gainst Thursday next,/To go with Paris to Saint Peter's Church,/ Or I will drag thee on a hurdle thither.”(3.5.156-160). Lord Capulet is giving Juliet no choice but to force her into marrying Paris on Thursday. Juliet then believes that her only choice will be to run away with Romeo, and takes a position to make it look like she is dead, but things go bad along the way and end in the deaths of Romeo and Juliet.
ReplyDeleteI think that Friar Lawrence was the character is most to blame for deaths of Romeo and Juliet. Romeo and Juliet loved one another at first sight, but it was Friar Lawrence who pushed them closer and closer. After Romeo was banished from the city, he met what seemed for the last time with Juliet. Juliet was really sad and wanted going to kill herself. But first, she went to the Friar to see if he could help in some way or form. This was the chance for Friar Lawrence to do what Benvolio told Romeo. In the beginning, Romeo was obsessed over Rosaline. When Benvolio saw this, he told Romeo that there might be other women in the party that he would like, Romeo went to the party, met Juliet and forgot all about Rosaline. The Friar should have told Juliet what Benvolio told Romeo. However, instead he did the exact opposite. He told Juliet that there he could “spy a kind of hope/ Which craves as desperate an execution/ As that is desperate which we would prevent” (4.1 69-71). He rekindled her hope and staged a plan that even he described as risky. If the Friar did not intervene in this way and tried to console her and show her that there were other men in the world, Juliet would not have gone through the plan and Romeo would not kill himself nor would Juliet. Friar Lawrence was the character is most to blame for deaths of Romeo and Juliet.
ReplyDeleteJebgy, I agree that Friar Lawrence could have told Juliet to move on from Romeo and go marry Paris. However, would she be able to move on? Romeo and Juliet loved each other so much that I do not believe it would be possible for them to forget one another. But you do make a good connection to the beginning of the story when Benvolio tells Romeo to move on from Rosaline.
DeleteFriar John and Balthasar are responsible for Romeo and Juliet's deaths. If Friar John would have found another way to get through the doors to get to Romeo with the letter he could have saved both romeo and juliet.” I could not send it , nor get a messenger to bring it thee. So fearful were they of infection” (pg 219). Also because Balthasar took it upon himself to tell Romeo that Juliet was dead Romeo decided to kill himself to rest in peace with his only love which only lead Juliet to do the same. Balthasar said “ Then she well and nothing can be ill. her body sleeps in Capel’s monument , and her immortal part with angels lives” (pg 211). Because of these insensetive actions the love of Romeo and Juliet ended.
ReplyDelete