Topic > Romeo and Juliet: The Tragedy of Star-Crossed Lovers

A tragedy of star-crossed lovers between rival families results in five devastating deaths due to a tragic courtship. Set in medieval Verona, Italy, William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet begins with a fight between members of rival families: the Montagues and the Capulets. The two have a rivalry that extends to their servants as well. Lord Capulet, the head of the House of Capulet, had begun to receive love interest in his thirteen-year-old daughter, Juliet. The Capulets' masquerade ball, arranged for Juliet to see her admirer, Paris, allows Romeo, a rival Montague, to come in secret with the hope of wooing Rosaline. Instead, the couple became infatuated with each other. Their forbidden love, whose union, in the hopes of Friar Laurence, the play's wise advisor, would reconcile the two families. The core values ​​of the Renaissance are carried forward by Shakespeare, introduced in the play. Free will, the ability to act at one's discretion without constraints, is visible in his work. The corrupt and nefarious love story of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare demonstrates the Renaissance idea of ​​free will, through its deceptive acts demonstrated by Friar Lawrence marrying Romeo and Juliet, Friar Lawrence preparing the potion, and Juliet deceiving the her nurse and her parents make them believe that she wants to marry Paris. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Friar Lawrence, a man who is not afraid of destroying his reputation, is willing to support the union of the two families. In the early morning of the scene, Benvolio, Romeo's cousin, and Mercutio, Romeo's best friend, wonder what happened to Romeo. The two learned late last night that Romeo never came home and shared with Romeo the words of the duel requested by Tybalt, a rival of the Capulets. Benvolio and Mercutio gossiped about Tybalt's high standards as a master swordsman. When Romeo finally enters the scene, the two ridicule him, saying he is weakened by love, then challenge each other with sexual comments after Mercutio accuses Romeo of spending the night with Rosaline. When the nurse enters the scene, followed by Pietro, a servant of their house, she learns who Romeo is. Mercutio teases her endlessly that she is a badger, the two then follow her, but not before Romeo leaves. He is then warned not to be ambiguous and agrees to see Friar Laurence in the cell to ask for a marriage. Through the use of free will in the play, Friar Laurence's position as a religious leader is jeopardized, in Act 2, Scene 3, when he agrees to marry Romeo and Juliet, in hopes of ending the feud between the Montagues and the Capulets: "Why this alliance may prove so happy / To turn your families' rancor into pure love." Here, Friar Laurence is saying that he will help the two with their secret wedding and hopefully, this successful marriage will turn the Montagues and Capulets' mutual hatred into love. While this is happening, the Nurse, in the Capulets' orchard, tells Juliet about their plan and to wait for them in Friar Laurence's cell. The nurse, who then leaves, asks for a night so that the two can consume. As Romeo and the friar wait for Juliet, Romeo concludes that what might happen in the future is nothing compared to the joy he feels. The friar then advises us to love in moderation, saying: "these violent pleasures have violent ends." Juliet, who then enters the scene, is asked about their love for each other, then points out that it is not easy to describe, and those who think they can describe it are beggars.In the wedding that occurs later in Act 2, scene 6, Friar Laurence, who is present throughout this scene, brings the two lovers together: “Come, come with me, and we will do the work quickly; For, by your permission, you will not remain alone until the Holy Church has incorporated two into one." Brother Lawrence is asking that the two come with him, that they will marry soon, as he fears what will happen if the two remain alone, go it alone, and will not do so until they are united. After the long night between Romeo and Juliet, the next act opens with preparations for the fight. Tybalt, when he enters, and Mercutio, when he enters, both draw their swords, competing with words of cunning. Romeo, who enters only to break up the brawl, attempts to restore peace, but not before Mercutio is stabbed and he then utters his famous words, “a plague to both your houses”. His words are important after Rome marries, as he curses a plague that will repeatedly strike rival houses. Overall, Friar Laurence's reputation, which has not yet been destroyed, is at stake due to the continuation of the marriage between the two lovers. After spending the night together, Romeo hastily leaves the window of the Capulet house, so as not to be able be seen by the watch. Her mother, who then enters, mistakes Juliet who is crying because she misses Tybalt, her cousin. In reality, her daughter cries in pain for missing Romeo, her husband, which Lady Capulet does not know. Lady Capulet then joins her daughter, expressing a desire to see "bad Romeo" dead. Through a cunning, as precise as the sexual puns of Mercutio and Romeo, she leads her mother to believe that she wishes Romeo's death: "Indeed, I will never be satisfied, With Romeo, till I see him - dead - It is the my poor heart for an irritated relative.” The importance here is that Juliet is saying that she will never be satisfied until Romeo, who killed her cousin, is dead, just as her heart feels when she grieves for Tybalt Il her deception, which does not last long, ends when Lady Capulet tells her of the plan to marry Paris on Thursday. She rejects the union, stating that she would rather marry Romeo than Paris. After her parents leave, the nurse , her closest confidante, betrays her trust. She also advises Juliet to marry Paris, warning her that she will be a better choice for a second marriage: “I think it's better for you to marry the county. Oh, he's a lovely one gentleman… our first is dead.” Here she is saying that the best thing to do is to marry the earl, who himself is a much more refined gentleman, and Juliet's first marriage to Romeo is now over. Romeo was also banished, so it would be impossible for Juliet to see him. Juliet pretends to agree, deceiving her nurse, stating that she will go to Friar Laurence to confess and be forgiven for her marriage to Romeo. She vows to never trust her duplicitous nurse and ends the scene by commenting to herself that she can still end her life. Overall, thanks to Juliet's choice to deceive her nurse and parents, she is able to remain faithful to her husband Romeo. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a custom essay Friar Lawrence, a sufficient self -king, is able, through free will, to help Juliet in the crisis of understanding with Paris. Juliet's crisis, caused by Lord Capulet, is that she will be married to Paris to end her mourning and crying. In Friar Lawrence's cell, Paris speaks to the friar about Tybalt's death, throwing Juliet off balance. When Juliet enters the cell, Paris speaks to her arrogantly, almost lovingly, with Juliet responding with apathy and observing.