Romeo and Juliet Essay - Prewriting
Who is responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet?
You will recall that we discussed “Who is responsible for the ‘death’ of Juliet?” but now it’s
time to consider who might be responsible for the tragic deaths of these two young lovers. Is it
Montague, Capulet, Nurse, Tybalt, Mercutio, Romeo, Juliet, Friar Lawerence, Fate, or someone
(or something) else? Argue your case in a well developed essay of about 400-500 words, using
2-3 pieces of textual support. Each piece of textual support must be no longer than three lines.
Complete Part 1 and 2 below as prewriting for your essay.
Part 1
Your one sentence answer to the question. This is the first version of your thesis: (Don’t simply
state, for example, that “The Nurse is responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet.” State that
the Nurse is responsible and WHY. )
Friar Lawrence is responsible for the death of Romeo and Juliet
Part 2
Textual support to illustrate your answer:
Support #1
Lines: For this alliance may so happily prove To turn your house's rancor to pure love:2.3.98-99
Explain how this textual evidence supports your answer.
This proves that he agreed to marry them. Although he may not have meant it but agreeing too
marry each other would be a disastrous thing to do because he knows that whatever they do, the
2 households would never agree to one another unless something big happened Ex. (Romeo and
Juliet's death). So in doing this he sealed them to their fate.
Support #2
Lines: 3.3.1-87
Explain how this textual evidence supports your answer.
These lines explain about he and Romeo talking about the grief Romeo is in. Although he is
actually trying to help Romeo with his grief, he is unknowingly making Romeo angrier and
sadder. The reason is because in these lines he refers to Romeo and Juliet at least being alive
and that Romeo is banished. He doesn't seem to understand Romeo since Romeo thinks as long
as he is alive, he will be in constant torture for being away from Juliet. These actions later on
actually almost succeeds in helping kill Romeo as shown as Romeo starts pulling out a knife and
threatening to kill himself.
Support #3
Lines: 4.1.95-122
How does this section support your answer?
This is the section when Friar Lawrence is talking and explaining about the potion that Juliet will
drink in order to "die" and look dead. The reason why this is going to help is because of this
solution that Romeo and Juliet died. Why not help them out of the house and run to Romeo that
is in the nearby city. Why did he use this potion? This passage tells of how he used the potion
but if he could have used another method. What I am saying is that this method was too risky.