Romeo and Juliet as a tragic tale

The events that occur in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet prove that it is indeed one of the most tragic stories ever written. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that there are three key events which truly stand out as being woeful and certainly tragic. These are: the continuous ancient feud between the Capulet’s and Montague’s, the fact that Romeo and Juliet cannot be together which is a result of the feud and lastly, the deaths of four main characters Romeo, Juliet, Mercutio and Tybalt.
There aren’t many things in the world, or specifically a story that could possibly be more tragic than two families hate for one another and how it destroys the lives of those around them. The ongoing feud between Capulet’s and Montague’s undoubtedly had an influence throughout the whole town of Verona which is also stated by the chorus in the prologue of Romeo and Juliet: “Two households, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.” Even at the start of the play it is established that the two families will have a wicked effect on the whole storyline. Before knowing which families the two are from, Romeo and Juliet fall in love. This, of course creates problems between the already feuding families. In the words of Juliet “My only love sprung from my only hate!” The result of the two falling in love isn’t blissful like you would probably expect as a reader, but that their families mutual hate for one another ultimately lead to the death of them both. The sadness of it all is shown in another quote said by the Chorus in the Prologue: “From forth the fatal loins of these two foes, A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life, whose misadventured piteous overthrows Doth with their death bury their parents strife.” It’s certain that the downfall of the two families lead to the downfall of others and that, is one the most tragic things of all.
Romeo and Juliet are explicitly aware of the fact that their love is forbidden due to the ongoing feud between the two families. Right from the start they knew of the feud between all Montague’s and Capulet’s but they chose to continue to pursue their feelings anyway and push away any ideas of boundaries set by the two families. In a quote said by Juliet herself, she expresses how it makes her feel to have Romeo (her only true love) be the son of her meant to be sworn enemy: “O Romeo, Romeo, Wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name, Or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, And I’ll no longer be a Capulet.” Throughout the story just as something even remotely good is going to happen for Romeo and Juliet, another event takes place and they are torn even further apart. It is a constant and hard battle for the two star-crossed lovers throughout the story and even in the end, nothing substantially good comes out of it. This is realised through the words of Friar Lawrence with the quote: “These violent delights have violent ends and in their triumph die, like fire and powder, which as they kiss consume.” Friar truly emphasizes how badly Romeo and Juliet’s love only ignited the hate between their families.
Death is everywhere throughout Romeo and Juliet and is certainly a heartbreaking occurrence to happen by anyone’s measures. The fact that the deaths had such an impact, due to the fact that they’re central characters, only makes the story more heart-rending. Capulet conveys the true tragedy of the deaths when he says “All things that we ordained, Turn from their office to black funeral; Our instruments to melancholy bells, Our wedding cheer to a sad burial feast, Our solemn hymns to sullen dirges change, our bridal flowers serve for a buried corse, And all things change them to the contrary.” Death certainly is everywhere in Romeo and Juliet and has nothing but disastrous effects on all the characters as well as the readers.
To conclude, Romeo and Juliet has many contributing factors that build up to make it the most woeful story of all. Among many, the main events are the family feud, Romeo and Juliet unable to be together and the many tragic deaths throughout the play. Therefore, “For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo.”