The tragedy of Romeo and Juliet was a turning point in the city of Verona. It was the only thing that could bring peace between the feuding families of the star-crossed lovers, the Capulets and the Montagues. The tragic end of their short lives not only brought about a new type of understanding between the families, but it also sparked new thinking; Who is directly responsible for the sequence of events? The most obvious answer involves feuding families, but there is one character who always had a plan for Romeo and Juliet. This character is Brother Lawrence, the mastermind behind every movement, big or small. Brother Lawrence is directly responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. Friar Lawrence is responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet because he came up with the dangerous plan of giving the "poison" to Juliet when she was threatening suicide. In Act 4, Scene 1, Brother Laurent says: “You have the strength to “kill” yourself… take this vial, being then in bed… in a cold and drowsy mood; for no pulse will maintain its native progression. (Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet 4.1, 73, 95, 98-99.) When Friar Lawrence gives the potion, Juliet drinks it later that night and is found apparently dead by the nurse. The news of Juliet's death spreads to Mantua through Balthasar, Romeo's servant, who tells Romeo of this Juliet's death. Romeo, upon hearing this news, wants to commit suicide because he does not want to live without his love, saying to the apothecary: “… let me have a glass of poison, so quickly in haste…” (Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet 5.1, 1-64.) When Romeo arrives at the tomb where Juliet rests, he drinks the poison and commits suicide. (Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet 5.3, 119-120.) These events would not have happened if Brother Lawrence had not... middle of paper ......as, but it caused people to wondering who was responsible. Brother Lawrence is responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. It was he who gave the sleeping potion to Juliet, which caused the domino effect that would lead to Romeo's death. His trust in Brother John to deliver the message to Romeo was misguided, thus leading to Romeo's misinterpretation that Juliet is dead and commits suicide with the poison next to Juliet. Ultimately, the cowardice of Brother Lawrence in the tomb with Juliet will lead to Juliet's death alongside her Romeo. As the Prince of Verona said: “Some will be forgiven and others punished. Because never has a story been more unhappy than that of Juliet and her Romeo. (Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet 5.3 319-321.) Works Cited Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. Ed. Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine. New York: Washington Square Published by Pocket, 1992. Print.