Romeo and Juliet Act III

Final Warning for All Involved with the Montague and Capulet Feud

Written By: Prince Escalus

This ridiculous fighting between the Capulet and Montague families has gone on for far too long. Many have been injured, some even killed, and it has torn Verona in half. I am writing today, as your leader, to give the last word in this ordeal.

A fight broke out yesterday between Tybalt of the Capulet's, Romeo of the Montague's and Mercutio, Romeo's good friend. After the fact both Tybalt and Mercutio were found dead while Romeo was nowhere to be found. The soft spoken Benvolio, Romeo's cousin, attests that first Tybalt slew Mercutio and then Romeo stabbed Tybalt for revenge, leaving the bloody scene surely to hide from whatever punishment I came up with for him.

This battle between the fiery Tybalt and illusive Romeo has been long brewing but now that the day has come and passed many from both families are left stricken. Tybalt and Lady Capulet were very close, while Mercutio was adored by many on both sides and neither loss will be easily forgotten. Of course neither death would have come about if the two families were not so hateful of each other.

And with that I have a serious decree: The feud MUST stop. At my leaving the scene of Tybalt's death I told Montague and Capulet to "Bear hence this body and attend our will" (III.i.192.) I have now made my decision: There will no longer be any leniency; if any Capulet is found fighting a Montague, or any Montague is found fighting a Capulet they shall both be sentenced to a quick and simple death. All parties shall be punished, there will be no trial or investigation as to the spark of the fight and the final word will come from yours truly as to any extra punishment to those involved to a lesser extent.

This decision has not been made irrationally, much thought has gone into the formal punishment anyone caught fighting will receive. It is only due to the recent turn of events that I must quickly put this plan into action. The abomination that is is duo of deaths has opened my eyes to the severity of the hatred between these families.

I assure you, good citizens, this is the best form of action if we ever want to see this feud ended. Many lives have been lost, property damaged, blood spilled, for the sake of this grudge match. There is no longer good reason for this violence nor is there justification for Mercutio's death, he was simply trying to be a friend to Romeo.

 Nothing need be done to avenge my kinsman's death, but take heed, citizens of Verona, for this battle ought be the last that happens inside these walls. We are reaching a new era, one of peace and fidelity, one where people are happy and feuds do not come out of nothing. Please, let this be the way of our city, disregard everything that has happened in the past and turn over a new leaf. Forgive those that have hurt you and ask them for forgiveness against your sins, but please understand the urgency with which I push this upon you all. Watch the video posted below of the fight between Romeo and Tybalt and think about if you really want your children to see these things happening in the streets.

Yesterday two are dead, but tomorrow it could be more; it is wrong to teach our children to hate, but if they watch us hate they will follow in our footsteps. Cast away any and all grudges you have against your fellow Veronans, join me with a new attitude, one that forgives and forgets, one that only takes insults at face value, and one that just wants everyone to be happy.

Works Cited:

Domblewski, Carol. "The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet." Prentice Hall Literature: Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1999. N. pag. Print.