Thesis statement about who was most responsible for the deaths in Romeo and Juliet? Fate? The parents? The friar Lawrence? Romeo? Juliet? Etc. provide evidence
The tragic ending of Romeo and Juliet was primarily caused by the rivalry between their families, which drove the young lovers to make poor decisions and ultimately led to their untimely demise, although the actions of Friar Lawrence and the impulsive behavior of Romeo and Juliet also played key roles in the tragic outcome.
Evidence:
- The families' feud sets the stage for the tragedy from the very beginning, with their animosity leading to street fights and bloodshed.
- Juliet's parents' insistence on her marriage to Paris, despite her love for Romeo, puts pressure on her to seek extreme measures.
- Friar Lawrence's rash idea to use a fake death potion to help Juliet escape, without properly informing Romeo, ultimately leads to the lovers' miscommunication and tragic consequences.
- Romeo's tendency to act impulsively, from killing Tybalt to risking everything to see Juliet in secret, shows how his lack of caution and foresight contributed to the tragedy.
- Juliet's own rash decisions and willingness to take risks, such as faking her own death, further fueled the tragic conflict between the families.
Overall, while fate may have played a role in Romeo and Juliet's tragic story, the actions of the families, Friar Lawrence, and the lovers themselves were more directly responsible for the deaths in the play.