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The Minor Characters In Romeo And Juliet Have A Great Deal Of Influence Of
The Destinies Of The Major Characters
Romeo and Juliet is a play based on love, fate, change and tragedy. It
tracks the story of two lovers from opposing families' ancient feud, in
death. Like most stories, the major characters play an important role, such
as the decisions in which they take. Yet the minor characters also have a
good deal of influence over the ultimate destinies of Romeo and Juliet.
The first minor character to be mentioned should be Tybalt. He was a butter
enemy of Romeo, and had he not been `slain', Romeo would never had been
banished. In Act 3, Scene 1, Tybalt kills Mercutio when Romeo attempts to
come between the combatants and averts the fight. Out of blind rage, Romeo
kills Tybalt. "And in my tmeper soften'd valours see!" Had Romeo not
decided to exact revenge on Tybalt, perhaps the Capulets might have
accepted him as a son. This would mean that Romeo and Juliet would not have
had to hide their love for each other. Tybalt, indeed, had a large effect
on the lives of Romeo and Juliet, by killing Mercutio.
Another minor character thought to have shaped the destinies of Romeo and
Juliet is Paris. In Act 3, Scene 5, Lady Capulet announces that Juliet is
to marry Paris. "The County Paris, at Saint Peter's church, Shall happily
make thee there a joyful bride." Juliet obviously refuses and goes to Friar
Laurence for help. Friar Laurence devises a plan, which will prevent the
marriage and reunite Romeo with Juliet. However, this plan goes horribly
wrong, perhaps causing the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. If Paris had not
wished to be with Juliet, none of the following would have occurred.
Friar Laurence gives a letter to Friar John to send to Romeo about Juliet's
plans. But Friar John was unable to find Romeo. "Nor get a messenger to
bring it thee, So fearful were they of infection". This is another example
of a minor character playing an important role.
Balthasar brings Romeo the news of Juliet's `death'. Romeo then goes to
Juliet's tomb and lays with her that night. He looks for an apothecary to
sell him some poison, and succeeds. Had the apothecary refused to sell him
the poison, Romeo might have been delayed, giving Friar Laurence time to
find him and tell him the truth.
The above paragraphs are simply speculation on what might or might not have
happened, but it does help explain the view that the minor characters
helped shape the destiny of Romeo and Juliet. Perhaps their deaths could
not be prevented. Maybe Romeo and Juliet were `pawns' in a game to end
their families' ancient feud. It is possible that a higher force was at
work here - fate. One thing is known for certain, there has never been a
"story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo."
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