"Romeo and Juliet" a play written during the Elizabethan times by William Shakespeare, ends with the tragic deaths of a pair of star-crossed lovers, (Romeo and Juliet). Their unfortunate ends can be partially considered as their own fault although other events and people play significant roles. This essay will look at the factors such as Romeo's hastiness, the development of independence for Juliet, the different views on love for each individual and the feud between the two families and how these factors hastens the most unhappiest deaths.

Romeo's extreme hastiness is what leads to his early death. One example is the agreement to marry Juliet on the night they met. Romeo did not think thoroughly about the idea and how it is going to affect both of their opposing families (Montague and Capulet). When he announced his decision to the Friar, the Friar immediately insists Romeo to take things " wisely and slow". Yet Romeo turns a deaf ear to that advice. He continues to act impetuously. There seems to be no reason for Romeo to rush back to Verona and promising to poison him when Balthasar told him that Juliet is dead. Romeo should have consulted the Friar for more details. It seems as though Romeo feels that the world is passing him, very quickly and there is no time for consideration and every decision must be made in a hurry. It is because of this belief that resulted Romeo being send into his early grave. However other people and events also plays a part in why Romeo acts in this particular way.

When Juliet met Romeo her love for him changed her very quickly into an independent person. So quickly that it isolates her from any adult support, which in turns killed her. At the beginning of the play she is a responsible and obedient daughter. When asked to marry Paris Juliet’s reply was full of politeness and dutifulness. " I will look to like, if looking likely move. But no more will it endart mine eye" when Juliet met Romeo the love she had for him enables her to be more independent and willing to takes risks. When demand to marry Paris by lord Capulet, Juliet's reply was no longer the same as before. Her reply was full with disobedience and the intention of rebelling. " He shall not make me a joyful bride" "or if you do not make the bridal bed' " In that dim moment where Tybalt lies." It is like Juliet has gone out of childhood and into adulthood almost overnight. This sudden change derived from her love for Romeo isolates her from any adult support. This is proven in one of her mother's reply to Juliet. " Do as thou wilt for I have done with thee". Therefore it is the absence of adult support that eventually leads the inexperienced fourteen year old to her death. In the frantic moment where Juliet tries to hold on to her love for Romeo, the love changed her completely. As it is this change that guide Juliet to her unfortunate end. However the different views of love of individuals also has some influence on both Romeo and Juliet’s death.

The different views on love for different individuals can be taken into consideration as a factor that leads to the death of the star-crossed lovers. In the play Romeo and Juliet are the only characters that shares real love. (Strong and mutual.) The other characters view love in physical terms or a way to gain something. The Friar agrees to marry Romeo to Juliet because he believes this would end the feud between the two families. “ For this alliance may so happy prove. To turn your households rancour to pure love.” Lord Capulet believes the marriage of his daughter to Paris would give his name a rise in status, as Paris is described as “Verona’s summer hath not such a flower” and “ man of wax.” If lord Capulet viewed love the same way as Juliet he would not have threatened her into marrying Paris and he would have understand that Juliet’s refusal was not an intention of rebelling. It is because of this big contrast in the view of love that doomed “Juliet and her Romeo.” Yet one of the biggest factors that held responsibility for the lover’s death was the feud between their parents.

The conflict between the Montague and the Capulet held the most responsibility for the deaths of the two lovers. Each family seems to be controlled by and invisible macho of honour that requires them to hate, insult and fight each other. This feud can be blamed foe Romeo’s hastiness and Juliet’s reason to change. If this feud was not present, Romeo would not have rushed the marriage with Juliet. Romeo would not have slewed Tybalt (Juliet’s cousin) because Tybalt would not even have provoked the fights in the first place. Therefore Romeo would not have endure the tragic events later on. “ This day’s black fate on more days doth depend. This but begins the woes others must end.” If this feud was not present Lord Capulet would not have demanded Juliet to Paris because Juliet would have the courage to tell her father she loved Romeo. If Juliet was not forced into marring Paris then she would not have swallowed a dangerous drug or committed suicide at the end of the play. There seems to be no particular reason for such a feud yet many people died because of it, including the Romeo and Juliet. Therefore this continuance of rage between Montague and Capulet is one of the events that are involved in leading Romeo and Juliet to their deaths.

It can be said that Romeo and Juliet are partially responsible for their own fate, because Romeo is too hasty and Juliet allow herself to be changed by love which isolated her from adult support. However other factors such as the different views on love and the feud between the two families should be considered before making the judgement on the most unfortunate deaths of all times.