The death of Romeo and Juliet
Who's to blame for their deaths?
By Nicholas G. Keenum (12 - 11 - 15)
The Friar.
True loves tragedy.
The end of the feud.
(Lines 240 - 263), act V, scene III, the Friar stated :
"To rid her from this second marriage, Or in my cell there would she kill herself. Then I gave her, so tortur'd by my art, A sleeping potion; Which so took effect as I intended, for it wrought on her, The form of death; meantime I writ to Romeo, That he should hither come as this dire night, To help to take her from her borrow'd grave, Being the time the potion's force should cease. But he which bore my letter, and yesternight return'd my letter back. Then all alone at the prefixed hour of her waking, came I to take her kindred's vault, meaning to keep her closely at my cell, till I conveniently could send to Romeo: But when I came, some minute ere the time of her father awaking, here ultimely lay the noble Paris and Romeo dead. She wakes; and I entreated her come forth, And bear this work of heaven in her patience.ยจ
This proved that the Friar not only managed to destroy the feud but allowed two young kids along with other men to die.