Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet" is well known and leaves the audience wondering: who is responsible for the death of Romeo and Juliet? Most of the characters in the play closely related to Romeo and Juliet bear some responsibility, but three characters or groups had the greatest influence on the outcome of the story. Brother Laurence could be criticized for having married them and keeping it a secret. Juliet's nurse encouraged Romeo to pursue Juliet, even helping him sneak into marriage. Last and most deserving of blame, however, are the parents, Lord and Lady Capulet and Lord and Lady Montague. Without family feuds and hatred, Romeo and Juliet would have lived without tasting the bittersweetness of death. Since some might argue that Brother Laurence bears most of the blame, an explanation is in order. Friar Laurence's motivations were revealed in the second scene. “For this alliance can so happily reveal itself, to transform the rancor of your households into pure love. » (Act 2 Shakespeare) He wanted the Capulets and the Montagues to reconcile, and believed that the marriage of Romeo and Juliet would do so. resolve this. The brother's intentions were good, but other events were beyond his control. He did not foresee that Tybalt would kill Mercutio and that Romeo would avenge Mercutio's death, resulting in Romeo's banishment. When Lord Capulet decided that Juliet would marry Paris, the Friar complicated things further by hatching a plan for Juliet to be with Romeo. Once again his plan failed. Romeo acted recklessly, killing himself moments before Juliet woke up. When Juliet discovers Romeo, Friar Laurence makes another mistake by leaving her in a suicidal state. Although many may find fault with the brother, he is really only guilty of trying to make things better for everyone and bring peace to Verona. Similar to ...... middle of paper ...... Which, but the end of their children, nothing could erase it....." (Shakespeare)An old grudge and parents too blinded by hatred to break it, bear the ultimate responsibility for the tragic deaths of Romeo and Juliet. Brother Laurence was simply trying to bridge the gap between two homes. The nurse wanted to make Juliette happy. Parents were selfish and could not overcome their enmity towards each other, and their children suffered the consequences. Bombarded by everyone's indecision, Romeo and Juliet were free-spirited, in love and young. Unfortunately, it was their deaths, not love or marriage, that ultimately brought the two houses together and brought peace to Verona. Works Cited Hylton, Jeremy. “Romeo and Juliet: entire play.” Romeo and Juliet: entire play. The Tech, MIT's oldest and largest journal, 1993. Web. May 21, 2014. http://shakespeare.mit.edu/romeo_juliet/full.html