Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Death as a Major Player in William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet :: William Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet
Death as a Major Player Death plays a key role in Romeo and Juliet. During the story, six deaths occur that fashion Shakespeareââ¬â¢s publication into the calamity thatââ¬â¢s known around the world. Each death pushes the story forward continuously, leading to the finale where the two lovers die due to love and hate from both feuding families. Mercutio, the joker and comic relief of the play, dies first and foremost. Tybalt spies Romeo at Lord Capuletââ¬â¢s extravaganza and vows to continue his fighting match by saying: ââ¬Å"I will withdraw; but this intrusion shall, Now seeming sweet, convert to bittââ¬â¢rest gallâ⬠(I, V, 93-95) Determined to duel with Romeo, in Act Three, Scene 1, he challenges the Montague but Romeo declines fighting with his brother-in-law, saying: ââ¬Å"I do protest I never injured thee, But love thee better than thou canst deviseâ⬠(III, 1,67-68), His statement means he doesnââ¬â¢t want to cause Tybalt any harm but would rather leave the scene. Mercutio steps in for Romeo, Romeo comes between them, and Tybaltââ¬â¢s sword stabs Mercutio when Romeo was holding Mercutio back. As Mercutio lays wounded and waiting for a surgeon, he blames Romeo for his injury saying, ââ¬Å"Why the devil came you between us? I was hurt under your arm.â⬠(III, I, 103-105) Soon following, Romeo learns that Mercutio is dead by Benvolio who says: ââ¬Å"O Romeo, Romeo, brave Mercutio is dead! That gallant spirit haths aspired the clouds, Which too untimely here did scorn the earth.â⬠(III, I, 118 ââ¬â 120) Romeo, enraged at the killing of one of his dearest friends, challenges Tybalt to a fight for revenge, saying: ââ¬Å"Now Tybalt, take the ââ¬Ëvillainââ¬â¢ back again That late thou gavest me; for Mercutioââ¬â¢s soul Is but a little way above our heads, Staying for thine to keep him company. Either thou or I, or both, must go with him.â⬠(III, I, 127 ââ¬â 131) Tybalt takes up the challenge and the Capulet falls to the ground, dead by Romeoââ¬â¢s sword. Benvolio tells everyone including the Prince what has happened later saying: ââ¬Å"There lies the man, (Tybalt) slain by young Romeo, That slew thy kinsman, brave Mercutio.â⬠(III, I, 146 ââ¬â 147) à à à à à With Romeo banished and Juliet acting as if she was dead in the Capulet family tomb, Paris comes to her grave to mourn the loss of his fiancee. On the path of the family tomb, he spots a torch and puts his own out to listen the stranger, saying:
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