Romeo and Juliet Essay

Amanda Hamilton
In between 1591 and 1596, William Shakespeare writes one of the
worlds greatest love stories, Romeo and Juliet. Romeo and Juliet are from
two different families whose hatred for each other runs very deep. During a
party, Romeo and Juliet meet and fall in love, a secret that must be kept from
their families. They marry, and later commit suicide to be with each other.
However, they are not the only ones to die in the play. Mercutio is a very
sarcastic person and adds life to the story line, but his sarcasm is the cause
of his death. Tybalt is a very violent person who believes that every problem
should be solved through a quarrel, and this leads to his death. Paris is
obsessed over certain people, and due to this, he dies. Therefore, the death
of many of the minor characters are a result of their own character flaws.
Mercutio died because of his sarcasm. Firstly, Mercutios jokes are
provoking Tybalt. One of his jokes is a play on words, and he states,
Consort? What, dost thou make us minstrels? (III, i, 40). Tybalt is extremely
angry at Mercutios jokes enough to quarrel with him, and kill him.
Furthermore, Mercutios sarcasm gives him over-confidence. Before duelling
Tybalt, Mercutio exclaims, Good King of Cats, nothing but one of your nine
lives. That I mean to make bold withal, and, as you shall use me hereafter,
dry-beat the rest of the eight. (III, i, 71-73). Mercutio gains confidence from
his previous witting battle with Romeo, and Mercutio believes he can beat

Tybalt in a duel. Consequently, Mercutio dies. In summary. Mercutios cause

of death is his sarcastic behaviour.
Secondly, Tybalt dies because of his violent manner. Tybalt killed
Mercutio since he was a friend of Romeo. During a heated battle, Tybalt
angrily says, What, drawn, and talk of peace? I hate the word as I hate hell,
all Montagues, and thee. (I, i, 60-61). Tybalt would not have killed Mercutio if
he did not associate with Montagues. However, Tybalt does kill Mercutio,
which in turn leads Romeo to kill him. In addition, Tybalt sent the challenge
to Romeo out of anger for attending the party. At Capulets party, Tybalt
recognizes Romeo, and venomously states, It fits when such a villain is a
guest. Ill not endure him. (I, v, 75-76). Since Capulet would not let Tybalt
dismiss Romeo from the feast, Tybalt took manners into his own hands,
where he dies at the challenge meeting. To summarize, Tybalt dies because
of his violent rages.
Finally, Paris obsession causes his death. Firstly, Paris feels he has a
connection with the Capulets. While speaking to Friar Laurence about plans
for his and Juliets wedding, Paris exclaims, My father Capulet will have it so,
and I am nothing slow to slack his haste. (IV, i, 2-3). Paris considers himself
a Capulet, even though he and Juliet are not married. Since he knows Romeo
is a Montague, Paris decides to duel Romeo because of the hatred between
the two families, where Paris dies as a result of the duel. Also, Paris has an
obsession over Juliet. After encountering Romeo in Juliets tomb, Paris says,
This is that banished haughty Montague that murdered my loves cousin

with which such grief it is supposed the fair creature died (V, iii, 49-51).
Paris believes Juliet died grieving Tybalts death, and once he comes face to
face with Tybalts killer, Paris believes revenge will help Juliet rest in her
grave, but, he loses the battle, and dies as a result. In summary, Paris
obsession is what causes his death.
In conclusion, the death of many of the minor characters are a result of
their own character flaws. Mercutio, though amusing at times, dies because
of his sarcasm. Tybalt believes violence is the answer to every problem, and
this kills him. Paris obsessiveness over certain people is a factor in his death.
Romeo and Juliet is a story like no other that shows life obstacles cannot be
overcome by love.