Romeo and Juliet, said to be one of the most famous love stories of all times,
is a play anchored on time and fate. Some actions are believed to occur by
chance or by destiny. The timing of each action influences the outcome of the
play. While some events are of less significance, some are crucial to the
development of this tragedy. The substantial events that inspire the conclusion
of Romeo and Juliet are; the Capulet ball, the quarrel experienced by Tybalt and
Romeo, and Friar John’s plague. A servant to Capulet, who is incapable of
reading the list of guests, asks for Romeo’s assistance. Romeo notices that
Rosaline, his lover, is among these names. Benvolio challenges Romeo to compare
her with other “beauties.” Benvolio predicts, “Compare her face
with some that I shall show,/ And I will make thee think thy swan a crow.”
(I, ii, l 86-87) To show his appreciation, the servant asks for Romeo’s
presence at the ball. Romeo should have considered the servant’s warning; if
Romeo occupies the name of Montague, he shall not be permitted. Once at the
ball, Romeo is searching for a maiden to substitute the unrequited love of
Rosaline. Romeo happens to gaze upon Juliet, who charms Romeo. Romeo proclaims,
” Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight!/ For ne’er saw true
beauty till this night.” (I, v, l 52-53) Since Romeo declares his love for
Juliet, she feels the attraction also. They believe that they are in love and
must marry. However, it is a genuine coincidence that Romeo and Juliet were at
the same place, at the same time. Some days after the ball, Benvolio and
Mercutio are conversing, in regard to the quarrelsome weather. Benvolio
declares, “The day is hot, the Capulets abroad,/ And if we meet we shall
not ?scape a brawl,/ For now these got days is the mad blood stirring.”
(III, i, l 2-4) At this point, Tybalt, who has challenged Romeo because of his
appearance at the masquerade, enters, seeking Romeo. On Romeo’s behalf,
Mercutio struggles with Tybalt, while Romeo, who is filled with love for his new
cousin, tries to end their boldness. Before escaping, Tybalt plunges his sword
into Mercutio, causing death to fall upon him. Mercutio blames Romeo and the
feud for his fate. Romeo kills Tybalt, who taunts Romeo, upon his return. Romeo
fears he will be condemned to death if he does not flee before the arrival of
the Prince. Benvolio recalls the events that have happened,with some
embellishment. The Prince declares: And for that offence/ Immediately we do
exile him hence./ I hav an in your hate’s proceeding,/ My blood for your rude
brawls doth lie a-bleeding;/ But I’ll amerce you with so strong a fine/ That
you shall repent the loss of mine./ I will be deaf to pleading and excuses;/ Nor
tears nor prayers shall purchase out abuses;/ Therefore use none. Let Romeo
hence in haste,/ Else, when he’s found, that hour is his last./ Bear hence
this body and attend our will./ Mercy but murders, pardoning those that kill.
(III, i, l 185-195) Due to the disturbance of Verona’s street and the losses
of Tybalt and Mercutio, the Prince must penalize Romeo. However, the Prince
agrees that Romeo was acting in self defense. Juliet, who desires not to wed
Paris, asks for Friar Laurence’s assistance. The day before the wedding,
Juliet is to drink the poison, which will make her appear to be dead. In forty
two hours she shall awake, with Romeo by her side. Romeo will then bring her to
Mantua with him. In the meantime Friar Laurence will convey a message to Romeo
in Mantua, telling him the plot. When she gains consciousness, Romeo and Friar
Laurence will be there. Friar Laurence says, “Shall Romeo by my letters
know our drift,/ And hither shall he come; and he and I/ Will watch thy
waking” (IV, i, l 114-116) Following Juliet’s intake of the poison, Romeo
is anticipating news from Verona. Balthasar, a servant to Romeo, tells Romeo
that Juliet has passed on. Romeo, who is told there are no letters from the
friar, seeks a way to accomplish his suicide. Meanwhile, Friar Laurence,
confronts Friar John, who was to deliver the letter to Romeo. Friar John informs
Friar Laurence that he was seeking another Franciscan, who was visiting the
sick, to accompany him to Mantua. He says, “Suspecting that we both were in
a house/ Where the infectious pestilence did reingn,/ Seal’d up the doors, and
would not let us forth;/” (V, ii, l 9-11) Friar John tells that he could
find no one to deliver the letter, for fear they may catch the infection. The
substantial events that inspire the conclusion of Romeo and Juliet are; the
Capulet ball, the quarrel experienced by Tybalt and Romeo, and Friar John’s
plague. The Capulet ball influences the ending of the play by Romeo’s
invitation at the ball, which creates the meeting of Romeo and Juliet. The ball
also gives birth to Tybalt’s anger and causes his challenge. The challenge
causes the banishment of Romeo, which produces much grieving by Juliet and
Romeo. Also, the quarrelsome weather is partly to blame for the feuding between
Tybalt and Mercutio. Since Friar John did not deliver the letter, Romeo thinks
that Juliet is dead, sacrifices himself. Juliet seeing that Romeo is dead, slays
herself also.
