Essay/Term paper: Catastrophes that plagued characters in romeo and juliet

Essay, term paper, research paper:  Romeo and Juliet

Catastrophes that Plagued Characters in Romeo and Juliet


Many characters in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet invite the
catastrophes they experience. These characters are Mercutio, Romeo, and Friar
Laurence. Mercutio because he never thinks before he acts. He has a very big
mouth and will say anything to create a joke. Romeo because of this fight with
Tybalt. If this fight never occurred then the outcome of the story could have
been better for Romeo and Juliet. Maybe there families could have set aside
their differences for there children and live the rest of there lives in harmony.
Friar Lawrence because I do not think he thought about the plan to unite Romeo
and Juliet long enough. He should have gotten a reliable messenger to inform
Romeo of the situation.

Romeo's friend Mercutio was a very witty energetic man. If he held his
tongue and thought about what he said before acting on them he would not have
gotten into so many fights. His jokes were probably taken lightly be his
friends Romeo and Benvolio because they were accustomed to hearing Mercutio's
voice constantly. Mercutio should not have tried to tease Tybalt because of the
rivalry between Tybalt's family and Romeo's family.

While avenging Mercutio, Romeo should have thought about the
consequences of slaying Tybalt. On one hand he filled the urge to kill the man
who had killed his friend. On the other hand he killed his wife's cousin. How
can one justify killing a member of their wife's family? Another consequence he
should have taken into consideration was the punishment he was going to receive
from Price Escalus. In act one scene one Prince Escalus already warned everyone
in Verona that if anyone was caught fighting again the would pay for it with
there lives. If Romeo had not gotten into the duel with Tybalt Romeo would not
have been banished from Verona. When Prince Escalus exiled Romeo, that was the
point in the play which was the biggest catastrophe. This is because once Romeo
was exiled he could not see Juliet ever again and Juliet could never see Romeo
again. Friar Lawrence would have never had to devise a plan to put Juliet into
a coma and Romeo would not have needed to take his own life thinking Juliet was
dead.

Friar Laurence's plan to put Juliet into a coma until Romeo rescued her
was not safe nor smart. The only person that knew of the truth was Friar
Laurence. First of all he should have thought about some alternatives rather
than to deliberately put Juliet into a deep sleep. If the poison was too strong
it could have killed Juliet instantly. Another problem about Friar Laurence's
plan was getting the information about it to Romeo. He should have found a
better way to deliver the letter in time.

In conclusion the person that I believe invited the worst catastrophe
was Romeo. This is because when Romeo killed Tybalt everything in his life
crumbled. He was exiled and could never see Juliet ever again. Mercutio should
have kept his mouth shut when a serious conversation like the grudge between the
two families was being discussed. Friar Laurence should have provided a better
alternative plan to Juliet instead of the poison.