In William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, it is not entirely obvious who is to blame for the deaths of the young lovers. There are actually multiple reasons why they die. The Preface describes the main action of the plot as follows:
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;
In Shakespeare's period many people believed in astrology. The term "star-crossed" suggests that their inevitable fate...
In William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, it is not entirely obvious who is to blame for the deaths of the young lovers. There are actually multiple reasons why they die. The Preface describes the main action of the plot as follows:
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;
In Shakespeare's period many people believed in astrology. The term "star-crossed" suggests that their inevitable fate was written in the stars, and thus not avoidable.
Next, the most obvious people to blame for the deaths are the young lovers themselves, who act rashly and choose to commit suicide.
Another event that precipitates the suicide is the letter going astray, so that Romeo does not know that Juliet is not actually dead.
Both Friar Lawrence and the parents feel guilt at the deaths of the young lovers as well. The parents realize that had they allowed them to marry, they would not have died. Friar Lawrence blames his own schemes for their death. The Prince clearly blames the feud for the lovers' deaths, as he states:
Capulet! Montague!
See, what a scourge is laid upon your hate,
That heaven finds means to kill your joys with love.
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