Bean

off ** Morgan Bean ** Throughout the play Romeo and Juliet(italicized), several people and events lead up to the death of Romeo. The first person you could blame for the death of Romeo is Benvolio. He initially started the chain reaction that lead to his fate. Also, Tybalt and Friar John greatly add to the death of Romeo. Through these two characters mistakes and in one case crime, Romeo is further pushed away from Juliet and towards death. Through the writing of the play, it is also apparent that fate played a big role in the death of Romeo as well. Each of these factors are shown as contributors, although no one thing can be left to blame, other than my final and most general factor: fate. The first character that contributes to the death of Romeo is Benvolio. He initially sets in motion the series of events that kill Romeo. When Romeo is upset about Rosaline not loving him, he begins to become much more to himself. Benvolio, only wishing well for Romeo, forces him to get out of the house one night. He decides to take him into a Capulet party, which in itself is a very dangerous action. While sneaking into the party, Romeo gets a mysterious bad feeling. “Some consequence yet hanging in the stars shall bitterly begin his fearful date with this night’s revels and expire the term of a despised life closed in my breast by some vile forfeit of untimely death,” (1.4.107). When Romeo says this, he is expressing a feeling that this night will lead to his fate of untimely death. However, it is also shown in this quote that fate is to play a bigger part in death than any character will. This also links fate and stars, which is shown several other times throughout the play. This party was shown as the turning point of the story. Also, the party itself could have gotten Romeo killed. “This, by his voice, should be a Montague. Fetch me my rapier, boy,” (1.5.54). This is said by Tybalt when he realizes that Romeo, a Montague, is present at his party. Luckily, Lord Capulet defends Romeo, and Romeo is not harmed. This also leads into another person that affect the death of Romeo as well, Tybalt. This quote shows his rash and unreasonable decisions that contribute to the story as well. The second person that can be blamed for Romeo’s death is Tybalt. His unexplained anger and aggressiveness adds to the Montague-Capulet feud greatly. The key scene where Tybalt truly sets Romeo is the fight scene with Mercutio. Tybalt comes to interfere with the Montagues and demands that Romeo fight him. “Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries that thou hast done me; therefore turn and draw,” (3.1.65). Tybalt feels that Romeo has hurt him, and wants him to fight him. Romeo, however, does not share these feelings of hate towards Tybalt, and he tries to reason with him. Mercutio fights him instead. Mercutio is killed and curses both houses for bringing an innocent person into their feud. This pushes Romeo off of the edge. He then, through anger about Mercutio, fights Tybalt. “Thou, wretched boy, that didst consort him here, shalt with him hence. This shall determine that. They fight. Tybalt falls,” (3.1.132). This is the event that forces Romeo from Juliet. Because of his rash action, Romeo becomes banished from the city. This is what forces Friar Lawrence to create the fake death plan. In this situation, Romeo cannot be blamed for his actions. In such a feud when extreme measures are taken to satisfy hatred, Tybalt can be easily shown as a reason for Romeo’s death The third person that can be blamed for the death of Romeo is Friar John. It was his responsibility to inform Romeo, by carrying a letter to him, that Juliet was not actually dead. Unfortunately, he was not able to, due to the fact that he was trapped in a quarantined house. “I could not send it, here it is again, nor get a messenger to bring it thee, so fearful were they of infection,” (5.2.15). This is Friar John’s explanation of why he was not able to tell Romeo of the good news. This would have saved Romeo from killing himself. Unfortunately, a messenger was also sent to say that Juliet is dead, and that was the only message that Romeo received. “I saw her laid low in her kindred’s vault, and presently took post to tell it you: O, pardon me for bringing these ill news,” (5.1.22). This is the message that Romeo heard. Because of this push, Romeo decided to kill himself. This is the moment that fate comes together, from the sneaking into the party to the inability to send the letter. Overall, many factors and people contributed to the death of Romeo. Whether it was a rash decision to kill, the crashing of a party, or the inability to deliver a letter, each person had his own way of “killing” him. The only logical reason, however, is fate. No one person or event can be individually pointed out as the main cause of death. Stars and fate are mentioned many times in the book, symbolizing the presence of a higher power and cause throughout the play Romeo and Juliet.

__Comments:__ Overall this is a very good essay. The introduction has some grammatical errors and weird phrasing that need to be taken care of, for example the first scentance makes no sense as it is. I also think it would be in your best interests to mold your thesis into one scentance conneting the three people and fate. Leave the explination for after the thesis. Your first quote and explination are amazing for this essay. The next quote did'nt seem to do with Benvolio though. Your second paragraph is good as well and it is easly seen how Tybalt causes Romeos death but you need to connect your quotes and what your saying to fate more. Your third paragraph is put together well but is a little short. Also, because you talk about Balthasar for half the time I recomend changing the topic from Friar John to somting along the line of messagers, just a thought. You have a very good conclusion that wraps up the Essay nicly. One more thing. You need to have slashes where the line breaks are or you will lose points.- Henry Quillian

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