The tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet is one of the most well-known and studied pieces of literature in history. However, the question of who is to blame for the deaths of the two young lovers is still heavily debated. Some believe it was fate, while others argue that it was the actions of the characters themselves. In my opinion, the person most responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet is Friar Laurence.
Firstly, Friar Laurence was the one who agreed to marry Romeo and Juliet in secret, knowing full well the consequences that would follow if their families found out. He should have known that their families’ feud was too strong to be broken by the love of two young people. By marrying them in secret, he put their lives in danger and ultimately contributed to their untimely deaths.
Secondly, Friar Laurence gave Juliet a potion that would make her appear dead for 42 hours. He planned to send a letter to Romeo, who was in exile, informing him of the plan. However, the letter never reached Romeo, and he heard only of Juliet’s death. This led to Romeo taking his own life, followed by Juliet’s when she woke to find him dead. If Friar Laurence had ensured the letter was delivered or come up with an alternative plan, the tragic ending could have been avoided.
Finally, Friar Laurence’s selfish actions are evident in his decision to flee the tomb after Juliet wakes up to find Romeo dead. Instead of staying with Juliet, he abandons her and leaves her to fend for herself. This decision shows a lack of responsibility and care for the lives he had played a significant role in destroying.
In conclusion, while there were many contributing factors that led to the deaths of Romeo and Juliet, Friar Laurence’s actions played a significant role. His decision to marry them in secret, give Juliet the potion, and flee the tomb were all crucial mistakes that led to the tragic ending of the play. Had he made different choices, the story could have had a happier outcome.