Unfavorable odds

            
             Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare, is a highly complex tragedy. The play is filled with countless instances of tension, anxiety, miscommunication, and confusion all culminating in the catastrophe of the "pair of star crossed lovers." (Page 7, Shakespeare) However these themes are not the result of one character's actions. Rather The Nurse, Friar Lawrence, and Mercutio, are all equally culpable of contributing to this tragedy.
             The actions of the Nurse, a servant of Juliet's family the Capulets, , contribute directly to the demise of her lady Juliet and her lover Romeo. There are two instances that have particularly disastrous consequences. For the majority of the play, the Nurse is the only individual, other than Friar Lawrence, cognizant of the affair between Romeo and Juliet. As their messenger , the Nurse not only arranges and sees to the details of the marriage of Romeo and Juliet, but she also, more importantly, initially approves of it: "Good heart, and I" faith I will tell her as much Now, God in heaven bless thee! Hark you sir." (Page 101-103, Shakespeare) Yet once Romeo is banished from Verona and Juliet is betrothed to Paris, the Nurse denounces her earlier position concerning Romeo: "Faith here it is as living here and you no use of him." (Page 171, Shakespeare) Juliet was looking to the Nurse for comfort during this trying time and when the Nurse did not offer such support, the consequence of these hypocritical acts prove to be disastrous. Juliet turns to Friar Lawrence with devastating results. .
             Friar Lawrence is solely responsible for the confusion that results in the death of both Romeo and Juliet. Friar Lawrence provides Juliet with the potion that, when taken, makes the user appear dead. "Take thou this vial, being then in bed Abate thy valor in acting it." (Page 183-185, Shakespeare) When Romeo is informed of Juliet's death, he is inconsolable. However, unbeknownst to him, Juliet is not truly dead.