What makes the ending in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet so effective?

One of the most effective aspects of the ending to
Romeo and Juliet is the fact that Lords Capulet and Montague
finally unite. This aspect of the ending actually changes the play from being a
traditional tragedy to a much less traditional tragedy. In fact, scholars classify
Romeo and Juliet as one of Shakespeare's Problem
Plays.

The unity of Lords Capulet and Montague is first lead by Prince
Escalus's very poignant and effective speech pointing out that God has seen fit to
punish Lords Capulet and Montague for their hatred by uniting the two families through
the love between their children and then killing their children. We see Prince Escalus
making this effective declaration in the lines:

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Where be these enemies? Capulet Montage
[Montague],
See what a scourge is laid upon your hate,
That heaven
finds means to kill your joys with love!
(V.iii.302-305)

Prince
Escalus creates further unity in this speech by pointing out that God is not only
punishing them but punishing everyone. God has especially punished Prince Escalus by
killing some of his family members, such as Mercutio, for not forcefully putting an end
to the feud sooner, as we see in his lines, "And I, for winking at you, discords too, /
Have lost a brace of kinsmen. All are punish'd" (305-304). The phrase "winking at you"
can be translated as turning a blind eye, showing us that Prince Escalus is guilty of
having ignored the feud for a long time. The line that most passionately creates unity
in this speech is Prince Escalus's final proclamation, "All are punish'd," showing us
that all people present have a share of responsibility in all of the deaths that have
taken place.

Prince Escalus's speech that serves to unify all people
through universal blame for the deaths inspires Lord Capulet to call Lord Montague
"brother," as we see in the line, "O brother Montague, give me thy hand" (307). The term
"brother" serves to remind us that they are now related by marriage but also to remind
us that they are brothers in a spiritual sense. Montague equally repents and accepts
Capulet's offer of brotherhood, even offering to raise a statue of "pure gold" in
Juliet's honor. Capulet responds in kind and offers to raise a statue in Romeo's honor,
creating permanent forgiveness and unity between the two families. It is this unity,
this resolution, that makes the ending of the play so effective.