se events could have been altered or avoided . "And for that offense immediately we do exile him hence," (Romeo and Juliet, III, II, 191-192). Romeo's banishment and the fate involved with it is a prime factor in the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. Why banishment? In Act I, Scene I the Prince's words were quite the contrary. Was it intentional that a man of such high standard would go back on his word? Perhaps. Romeo's exile poisons all possibility of happiness for himself and Juliet. His exile causes Juliet great sorrow, greater then if he had been executed, as stated by Juliet in Act III, Scene II, lines 130-131. Juliet's sorrow drives her to obtain a "knockout potion" from Friar Laurence which, in effect causes Romeo to make some important decisions regarding his well being. Romeo's banishment (brought about by the death of Tybalt) initiated the Friar's scheme which eventually leads the two lovers to their deaths. In reuniting the two lovers, timing played the largest role in deciding if they would live or die. Friar Laurence had two chances to deliver the message to Romeo regarding Juliet's present state. The first and most practical method of sending this message was through Romeo's "man", Balthasar. The second method was to send the message with Friar John. Timing was an important factor in both of these events. Friar Laurence had missed his opportunity to send the message with Balthasar and reverted to sending it with Friar John. As fate would have it, Friar John was locked up in a condemned house because of the plague. As a result Romeo received incorrect information. The only information he received from the unsuspecting Balthasar was that Juliet was dead. There are two important points to note in this area of the play. One being the reference to star-crossing made by Romeo when he heard of Juliet's death. "Is it even so? then I defy you, stars." (Romeo and Juliet, V, I, 24). The second being that when Romeo received the poison he ...
