Who Should Be Pardoned in Romeo and Juliet?

Love, Passion, and Tragedy in Romeo and Juliet

Love, passion, and tragedy all mix together in one of Shakespeare's most well-known plays, Romeo and Juliet. The story of these two young lovers who are doomed from the start has touched hearts for hundreds of years. But let's pause a moment—who really deserves to be forgiven for their actions amidst all this chaos? In this essay, we’ll dive into what motivated the characters and look at their situations to see who should get a pass in this heartbreaking tale. When it's all said and done, I'll argue that Romeo deserves forgiveness because of everything going on around him.

Romeo's Actions: A Result of Love

Romeo’s quick decisions come from his deep love for Juliet. From the second he sees her, he's head over heels, making him act without thinking things through. Take when he kills Tybalt—he’s mad with grief over Mercutio's death and wants revenge. Sure, it was violent, but can you blame him? His emotions were running wild, and given the situation, maybe we should cut him some slack.

The Role of Friar Laurence

Then there’s Friar Laurence. He’s a trusted person in Romeo’s life who also played a big part in how things turned out. He secretly marries Romeo and Juliet, hoping it'll help stop the fighting between their families. His intentions were good! But his plan backfires terribly. Still, he just wanted peace between the Capulets and Montagues—a noble cause that went wrong. Should we hold that against him?

Juliet's Choices: Driven by Love

You can't overlook Juliet either. She may be young, but she acts older than her years show. She goes against her family for Romeo’s sake—risking everything! Her choice to fake her death was bold but ultimately disastrous. Yes, she acted out of love too, but her choices led to both their deaths in the end. Even with pure motives, shouldn't she bear some responsibility?

The Impact of External Factors

We can’t forget about the outside stuff going on here—the feud between their families sets the whole tragic scene. This old rivalry is what makes everything secretive and urgent for Romeo and Juliet. Their love feels like something forbidden; it pushes them to take desperate steps just to be together! The pressure from society and family expectations adds up to their sad fate too.

A Final Thought on Forgiveness

So yeah, while everyone in Romeo and Juliet had a hand in how things ended up tragically—Romeo should be forgiven most of all. His deep love for Juliet combined with those wild circumstances kind of explains why he did what he did. But forgiving someone doesn’t mean they’re free from any blame whatsoever! We gotta remember Friar Laurence’s part in it too—and also look at how those external factors pushed them all towards tragedy.

This idea of pardoning Romeo reminds us how complicated love can get when mixed with passion—and sometimes leads straight into heartache.

References

• Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. Edited by Jill L. Levenson, Oxford University Press, 2000.
• Lambs’ Tales from Shakespeare: For Children (Kindle Edition)
• Bates J., (2008), Shakespeare Saved My Life: Ten Years Solitary With The Bard.
• Muir K., (1990), Aspects Of Macbeth And Other Essays On Shakespearean Drama.
• Snyder S., (2013), Shakespeare's Late Plays Performed By Royal Shakespeare Company London UK 1981 - "The Winter's Tale," "Cymbeline," And "Pericles."