The information that is withheld from the public and shared only within a specialized assembly: the leading cause to arguments and conflict between individuals and groups. Secrets.

Secrets lead to lies that are formed to protect them from those not within the desired group or society through which people are isolated from others and secluded into special factions, surrounded and protected by their secrets. This is evident throughout Romeo and Juliet as it is the vital factor that led to the sad death of both characters. The two major secrets that occurred throughout the romantic epic of Romeo and Juliet, is their immense love for each other.  After Romeo’s banishment, another secret, which was protected with a cleaver lie, was instigated which led to the death of both protagonists.

Before their fight, if Romeo had proclaimed his secret love and marriage, to Tybalt, the order of events could have been avoided and both Tybalt and Mercutio would have been alive. Given that both families would have been disgraced by the turn of these events, I still feel that it would have led to a better outcome at the end. Both Lord and Lady Capulet and Montague seemed devastated by the death of their son/daughter, so we could infer that they just wanted what was best for their children. They let their family history cloud their minds, so they instinctively assumed that the offspring of the rival house would not be a good match for their child. So, if not for the death of Tybalt, the Friar’s plan to marry Romeo and Juliet as a means to end of this long family feud would have succeeded.

The other major secret that led to the downfall of both characters is the secret potion given to Juliet by Friar Lawrence. This potion is used to fake her death so that she can reunite with her banished Romeo. It created a veil of lies around everyone, which spread as far as the neighboring town of Mantua, which Romeo now called home. This rumor encouraged Romeo to make a hasty decision that led to his demise. This could have been completely avoided and a better plan could have easily been devised. At least if this plan was being carried out, the Friar could have involved Romeo in it, so he was not left with the rest of the Verona sobbing for the death of his dear Juliet.

Secrets are the leading cause to misunderstanding and struggle throughout both Romeo and Juliet and our society. We isolate ourselves from others when we realize that they have been withholding things from us, yet there is always at least one secret that one trusts no one with. I personally feel that world peace will be impossible to achieve as long as we remain protective of our knowledge and betray each other just for personal benefit. Secrets will never completely disappear from our civilization, but through mutual trust and understanding I feel that we can largely reduce the impact they have on our way of life.