Why Did Romeo Kill Himself

Jule Romans is the author of "Have Advice from Shakespeare" and other books. She has over 30 years of experience in the field of instruction.

Read on for an analysis of the deaths of Romeo and Juliet from the timeless Shakespearean play.

What Happens in the Romeo and Juliet Death Scene?

In the Romeo and Juliet expiry scene, Juliet is lying in the tomb, under the influence of a sleeping potion that makes it appear that she has died. Romeo finds her in the tomb. Before entering the tomb, Romeo kills Paris in the graveyard.

Romeo mourns over her trunk and so drinks poisonous substance because he believes that Juliet is truly dead. He falls next to her. Juliet wakes up moments after.

Friar Laurence has come to aid her. When he discovers that Romeo is dead, he attempts to convince Juliet to leave. Juliet insists on staying, and discovers Romeo'due south expressionless body beside her. Friar Laurence leaves her alone in the tomb. Juliet stabs herself in the heart.

Romeo and Juliet each commit suicide inside the Capulet family tomb.

Later on their decease, the bodies are discovered by both families, the Prince, and several citizens of Verona. Friar Laurence confesses his involvement to the Prince. The Capulet and Montague families pledge to end their feud. The Prince of Verona sends everyone away with some sad final words.

How Does Romeo Die?

Romeo drinks poisonous substance to kill himself because he believes that Juliet is truly dead.

Romeo Kills Paris, Then Enters the Capulet Tomb

Count Paris, the gentleman Juliet's father intended to force her to marry, visits the Capulet tomb to grieve over Juliet'south body. Paris has a strong love for Juliet, although he is completely unaware of her secret dear and marriage to Romeo.

While Paris is well-nigh the tomb, Romeo arrives. Paris sees Romeo as a hated rival from the Montague family. Paris believes Romeo is at the graveyard to vandalize the Capulet mausoleum.

Paris is wrong in his assumption, but he has no way to know this. Romeo has come to the Capulet tomb to see Juliet's dead body, and commit suicide adjacent to her.

Paris confronts Romeo. Romeo fights back. The two men proceed to struggle, and Romeo kills Paris. Romeo enters the tomb and lays Paris'southward body inside. Romeo honors Paris.

Noble County Paris! . . . give me thy hand,
One writ with me in sour misfortune's volume!
I'll bury thee in a triumphant grave;

—Romeo, Deed 5, Scene 3

Romeo Discovers Juliet's Sleeping Trunk

Romeo finds Juliet lying within her family unit'south monument. He believes her to be dead. Ironically, he comments on how alive she still appears. He describes her lifelike beauty, saying that her lips and cheeks are still equally ruby-red and lovely every bit when she was alive. He notes that death has non conquered her beauty with its customary pallor.

Death, that hath suck'd the honey of thy breath,
Hath had no ability yet upon thy dazzler:
Grand fine art not conquer'd; beauty'due south ensign yet
Is crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks,
And death's pale flag is non advanced there.

—Romeo, Act 5, Scene 3

This is ironic because Juliet is not dead at all. She has taken a drug that makes her appear to be dead, just she is really just very securely asleep. She is intended to wake upward very before long. Unfortunately, it volition not exist soon enough.

Whorl to Proceed

How Does Juliet Dice?

Juliet stabs herself in the eye with Romeo's dagger afterward enkindling to detect Romeo'southward dead body beside her.

Friar Laurence Enters the Tomb

Friar Laurence comes to the Capulet monument to awaken Juliet and take her to Romeo. He does not know that Romeo is already dead. When he arrives, he finds Romeo'southward servant outside in the graveyard. This brings on a surge of fright and worry. Romeo's servant refuses to go with Friar Laurence into the tomb.

Stay, then; I'll go alone. Fearfulness comes upon me:
O, much I fear some ill unlucky thing.

—Friar Laurence, Deed 5, Scene 3

The fright and sense of foreboding grow worse when he encounters bloody swords and prove of a fight at the entryway.

Alack, alack, what blood is this, which stains
The stony entrance of this sepulchre?
What mean these masterless and gory swords
To lie discolour'd by this place of peace?

—Friar Laurence, Act 5, Scene 3

His next discovery is the body of Paris, followed closely by finding Romeo's poisoned corpse. Juliet begins to come up awake at that moment.

Romeo! O, pale! Who else? what, Paris also?
And steep'd in blood? Ah, what an unkind hour
Is guilty of this sorry take chances!
The lady stirs.

—Friar Laurence, Act 5, Scene 3

Juliet Awakens, and Is Left Solitary With Romeo's Body

Juliet wakes from her slumber and looks for Romeo right away. She asks Friar Laurence where Romeo is.

O comfortable friar! where is my lord?
I do think well where I should be,
And there I am. Where is my Romeo?

—Juliet, Act five, Scene 3

Friar Laurence runs away, leaving Juliet solitary in the tomb. She looks at Romeo's trunk and discovers that he has died from poison. Distraught, she attempts to beverage annihilation that may be left in the bottle. Romeo has consumed it all. Juliet then tries to find some of the poison by kissing Romeo on the lips.

What's here? a cup, closed in my true love's paw?
Poison, I come across, hath been his timeless end:
O boor! drunk all, and left no friendly drop
To help me later on? I volition kiss thy lips;
Haply some poisonous substance all the same doth hang on them,

—Juliet, Act 5, Scene 3

Juliet is at present abandoned. She is alone in the tomb, with very few options. Her beloved Romeo is dead.

Juliet Kills Herself With Romeo's Dagger

At that moment, Juliet hears the audio of the watchmen inbound the tomb. Just similar Romeo, she does not want to live without her love. Juliet finds Romeo's dagger, pulls it from its sheath and prepares to thrust it into her heart. Just earlier she commits suicide, she makes a poetic reference, naming her heart every bit the new sheath for his dagger.

Yea, noise? then I'll be brief. O happy dagger!

This is thy sheath;

there rust, and let me die.

—Juliet, Human action 5, Scene 3

Juliet is expressionless by her own hand. Her body lies next to Romeo's on the flooring of the tomb.

Who Is Responsible for the Death of Romeo and Juliet?

Most of the show points to Friar Laurence as the person most responsible for the death of Romeo and Juliet. Friar Laurence married the two immature lovers in secret and took several actions that may have led to the death of Romeo and Juliet.

Friar Laurence sent Romeo to Mantua. He likewise gave Juliet a sleeping potion that would cause her to appear to exist dead. The Friar sent a messenger to Mantua to let Romeo know of the programme, but that messenger was delayed. Romeo never received his note.

Friar Laurence went to the Capulet tomb to awaken Juliet and discovered Romeo's torso.

Ultimately, Friar Laurence abased Juliet, leaving her alone in the tomb.

But when I came, some minute ere the time
Of her awaking, here untimely lay
The noble Paris and true Romeo expressionless.
She wakes; and I entreated her come forth,
And acquit this piece of work of heaven with patience:
But then a dissonance did scare me from the tomb;
And she, too desperate, would not go with me,
Merely, as it seems, did violence on herself.

—Friar Laurence, Deed 5, Scene 3

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author's cognition and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.