Who is most to blame for the deaths or Romeo and Juliet? Show evidence to your claim.
There are several factors that contributed to the deaths of Romeo and Juliet, including the longstanding feud between their families, the impulsive actions of the young lovers, and the meddling of Friar Laurence. However, I believe that Friar Laurence is the most to blame for the tragic outcome.
One piece of evidence pointing to Friar Laurence's culpability is his decision to marry Romeo and Juliet in secret. While he may have had good intentions in trying to unite the feuding families, this action ultimately led to a chain of events that culminated in the deaths of the young lovers. If he had not agreed to marry them in secret, they may have been able to seek a more peaceful resolution to their situation.
Additionally, Friar Laurence's plan to fake Juliet's death and reunite her with Romeo was incredibly reckless and ultimately led to their untimely demise. His failure to properly communicate the plan to Romeo resulted in tragic miscommunication and the deaths of both characters.
Furthermore, Friar Laurence's role as a mentor and advisor to Romeo and Juliet means that he had a responsibility to guide them towards a more rational and prudent course of action. Instead, his actions only served to exacerbate the situation and push the young couple towards tragedy.
In conclusion, while there were multiple factors that contributed to the deaths of Romeo and Juliet, Friar Laurence's decisions and actions play a significant role in the tragedy. His misguided attempts to help the lovers ultimately led to their deaths, making him the most to blame for the tragic outcome.