After reading Romeo and Juliet written by William Shakespeare, many have wondered who or what was responsible for the tragic deaths of the "star-crossed lovers" (Prologue ll 6), Romeo and Juliet. Some believe this misfortune was purely caused by fate, while others put the blame on decisions made by the lovers themselves. In this essay, three minor characters from the play will be analyzed by their choices, attitudes, actions and communication with others in Romeo and Juliet to conclude how these characters were very important to the play despite their small roles and how they partially caused Romeo and Juliet's tragic deaths. Proof will be given that in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet three minor characters in the drama, Friar Lawrence, the Nurse and the Apothecary played major and important roles in events leading to the tragic deaths of Romeo and Juliet.

The Nurse wanted Juliet to be happy and...