There is a whole library of books dealing with Shakespeare. Half of this library would sum him up as the world’s greatest dramatist-poet. Even when we are interested in his career as a lyrical and epic poet, we cannot avoid alluding to the dramas. The aim of this short study is to put the basic concept of the drama under a magnifying glass from a legal as well as moral aspect. We cannot, obviously, change the basic conflict or other features that inevitably led to the tragic end; however, it would be a noble and interesting task to draw up hypotheses which might have changed the climax as well as the dreadful outcome of the play. What moral and legal liability can be identified? What moral roles do the different characters play? Who could be blamed and what for? Who should not have been involved in the conflict?
Table of Contents
1. Who Could Be Responsible for the Tragic Death of Romeo and Juliet?
Research Objectives and Themes
This study aims to examine the tragic narrative of William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" through an unconventional lens, specifically applying legal and moral scrutiny to the behaviors and responsibilities of the play's characters. It seeks to move beyond common sentimental interpretations of the drama to identify how individual actions, character failings, and the societal atmosphere of the era contributed to the inevitable, tragic conclusion.
- Legal and moral liability of the primary characters
- Impact of the family feud on individual decision-making
- Examination of character roles and their contributions to the tragedy
- Analysis of the interplay between contemporary legal norms and dramatic action
Excerpt from the Book
Who Could Be Responsible for the Tragic Death of Romeo and Juliet?
Since the plot itself is well-known we would not like to go into it deeply. The only thing is now to discuss who could be responsible for the tragic death of two pure lovers. After The Proluge in wich a chorus speaks, we get to know about two households ’both alike in dignity” /Pr.L.2./ and about the town where the scene takes place. We also come to be aware of the fact that these households are in mutual hate, and this is what destroys the lives of ’star crossed lovers”. /Pr.L.6./ Although one reason for the tragedy (as we have seen it in The Prologue) is already given, we cannot be satisfied with it. Is the feud between the two families the only acceptable explanation for the tragic death? No, probably not. So right from the start, let us see which characters have influence on the end of the play.
By dividing them into two groups, we are to say that Mercutio, the kisman of Escalus, Benvolio, nephew of Montague, Abram and Balthasar are gathering around the Montague family, while Tybalt, nephew of Capulet, the Nurse, Peter and the other servants embody the group that is centered in Capulet family. Certainly, there are some people who are insignificant, which means that they are not in close connection with the families, like Paris, who is in fact the suitor of Juliet, but is not involved in the feud; Escalus, the Prince of Verona, and the two Friars, Laurence and John.
Summary of Chapters
1. Who Could Be Responsible for the Tragic Death of Romeo and Juliet?: This chapter introduces the core research question, establishing a legal and moral perspective to analyze the characters and events that drive the tragedy, while rejecting simplistic interpretations of the play.
Keywords
Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, tragedy, moral liability, legal perspective, Elizabethan drama, family feud, character analysis, Mercutio, Tybalt, the Nurse, responsibility, conflict, literature, ethics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this academic work?
The work explores the tragedy of "Romeo and Juliet" by analyzing the legal and moral accountability of its characters, rather than treating it merely as a story of young love.
What are the primary thematic fields addressed?
The study focuses on personal responsibility, the destructive nature of familial feuds, the ethics of characters' choices, and how these elements culminate in the play's tragic resolution.
What is the primary goal or research question of this study?
The primary goal is to investigate which characters and specific actions bear moral or legal responsibility for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet.
Which methodology is utilized in this study?
The author employs a critical, retrospective analytical approach, utilizing a legal lens to examine the characters' behaviors in the context of both the play's narrative and historical legal concepts.
What content is covered in the main body of the work?
The main body examines the specific roles and liabilities of characters like Mercutio, Benvolio, Tybalt, the Nurse, and the Friars, assessing their influence on the unfolding events.
Which keywords characterize this analysis?
The analysis is characterized by terms such as moral liability, legal responsibility, Elizabethan drama, family conflict, and critical literary perspective.
How does the author interpret Mercutio’s role regarding the family feud?
The author suggests that Mercutio, though not directly involved in the feud, becomes an accidental catalyst whose death significantly shifts the narrative toward its tragic conclusion.
What is the author's stance on the Nurse’s role in the tragic outcome?
The author argues that while the Nurse is often seen as a helper, she could be viewed as legally and morally liable due to her assistance in the secret marriage and her questionable counsel to Juliet.
- Quote paper
- Janos Talaber dr (Author), 2007, Who Could Be Responsible for the Tragic Death of Romeo and Juliet? , Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/124759
