Persuasive Essay: “Romeo and Juliet: who is most culpable?”
Rubric Score: 3
The essay’s prompt is about who is most responsible for Romeo and Juliet’s death. This essay demonstrates mastery of a “Critical Thinker” because the essay has critical analysis on the events that occur in the story that back up the essay’s side. I was successful in being able to now use “you” and not write in past tense. A weakness of this essay is I was a little bit wordy in some descriptions. A new strategy I tried out was to use ethos, pathos, and logos in my essay. My next goal for the following essay is to be more sophisticated in my writing.
It’s that Pope’s Fault!
The tragedy of “Romeo and Juliet” written by Shakespeare is a tragedy caused by chain reactions. The death of Romeo and Juliet is caused by every important character in the play. There is a fine line difference in the significance a character has on the death. Friar Laurence is the most responsible for Romeo and Juliet’s death because he is the man who devised the scheme and he is solely responsible for sending the message to Romeo of that plan but he puts the burden on Friar John.
Friar Laurence’s plan is too risky because it consisted of chance and peril. He advises Juliet of this scheme out of desperation to help Juliet, “Let not nurse lie with they chamber. Take thou vial, being then in bed, and this distilled liquor drink thou off;” (Shakespeare, 181). Friar Laurence is literally giving false hope to Juliet who will do anything to see her love. Giving the poison to Juliet can stir many reactions throughout both houses and it did. Friar Laurence speaks to Juliet about his second half of the conspiracy, “Shall Romeo by my letters know our drift; and hither shall he come; and he and I will watch thy waking” (Shakespeare, 183). Friar Laurence attempts a prediction of the future being confident his plan will work. He gambles on the love of Romeo and Juliet and eventually he looses. Half of that is because of his speed in sending the message.
Because of giving the burden of message to Friar John and his overconfidence, he is a split second late in saving Romeo which causes Juliet to kill himself. Friar Laurence, due to his pride in the plan, gives a letter to Romeo but asks Friar John to send it and Friar John fails, “Where the infectious pestilence did reign, sealed up door, and would let us forth, so that my speed to Mantra there was stayed.” (213-14) Because of Friar Laurence’s decision, Romeo hears the false news in which he believes is true. Friar John’s arrival is too late and he must withdraw knowing peril is ahead in Verona. Because of the time the Friar sends the letter, Balthazar is able to reach Romeo first, “Her body sleeps in Capelut’s monument, and her immortal part with angel lives.” (209) Trusting Batlthasar and his news, Romeo rushes to Verona to see the sleeping Juliet; already Friar John is late. The arrogant Friar Laurence is at leisure until he finds out the letter was never sent and now trouble waits. Due to his unorganized planning and high risk, Romeo and Juliet’s death is inevitable.
It is true everyone, even Romeo and Juliet play a part in allowing this tragedy to happen, but Friar Laurence has the most significant part. He is the man who sets up the plan. It is his fault he put the risk of allowing Romeo to hear false news of Juliet’s condition. Because of him, Romeo dies not knowing that Juliet awakes hoping to be in his arms. Because of him Juliet’s deepest desires are trashed, but out of all of this he is also the one who ended the perennial conflict of the Montague and Capulet.
