Who Killed Paris in Romeo and Juliet?
When it comes to Shakespeare’s tragic play, Romeo and Juliet, the focus is often on the doomed love affair between the titular characters. However, there is another character whose death plays a significant role in the unfolding tragedy – Paris.
But who is responsible for his untimely demise? Let’s delve deeper into this question and explore the various factors that led to Paris’s tragic end.
The Character of Paris
Paris is a nobleman and kinsman of Prince Escalus. He is introduced as a suitor seeking Juliet’s hand in marriage, arranged by her parents.
Despite his genuine love and admiration for Juliet, his character remains relatively underdeveloped throughout the play. Nevertheless, his role becomes crucial as events unfold.
Paris’s Objective
Paris’s main objective in Romeo and Juliet is to marry Juliet and secure their families’ alliance. As a loyal adherent to societal norms and traditions, he believes that marrying into the Capulet family will not only benefit him politically but also bring honor to both families involved.
The Role of Romeo
Romeo Montague, the young protagonist of the play, unknowingly becomes an obstacle in Paris’s path. Romeo falls deeply in love with Juliet at first sight during a masquerade ball, completely unaware of her impending arranged marriage with Paris.
As their forbidden love blossoms, Romeo goes to great lengths to be with Juliet, even secretly marrying her. This creates an intense rivalry between Romeo and Paris, ultimately leading to their fatal encounter.
The Fatal Duel
In Act 5 of the play, Paris encounters Romeo at Juliet’s tomb. Unaware of Romeo’s secret marriage to Juliet or his intentions regarding death, Paris believes Romeo to be a threat. In a desperate attempt to defend Juliet’s honor and his own claim to her, Paris challenges Romeo to a duel.
Although Paris acts out of love for Juliet, it is important to note that his approach is misguided. He fails to understand the depth of Romeo and Juliet’s love for each other and the tragic circumstances that brought them to this point.
The Tragic Outcome
The duel between Paris and Romeo ends tragically for both parties involved. Paris is fatally wounded by Romeo, succumbing to his injuries shortly after. Romeo, in turn, takes his own life upon finding Juliet apparently lifeless in the tomb.
It can be argued that Paris’s death was not entirely caused by any one character but rather by the series of unfortunate events set in motion by the feuding families and societal expectations. Nonetheless, it was ultimately Romeo’s hand that dealt the fatal blow.
A Symbolic Sacrifice
Paris’s death serves as a symbolic sacrifice within the play. His demise highlights the destructive consequences of societal pressures, arranged marriages, and the Capulet-Montague feud. The tragedy of his death further emphasizes the senseless loss of innocent lives throughout the play.
In conclusion, while Paris may not be as central a character as Romeo or Juliet, his presence and subsequent demise are crucial to understanding the complexities of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. His death serves as a reminder of the destructive power of societal expectations and adds another layer of tragedy to this timeless tale.