Who could be the scapegoat in Romeo and Juliet?

There are two good candidates for the role of scapegoat in Romeo and Juliet. A scapegoat is a person who is ultimately blamed for the mistakes or sins of others. First off, Friar Lawrence could easily be considered a scapegoat. He is responsible for marrying Romeo and Juliet, despite the perceived objections of parents who were involved in a bitter feud. He also devises the foiled plan for Juliet to fake her death and...

There are two good candidates for the role of scapegoat in Romeo and Juliet. A scapegoat is a person who is ultimately blamed for the mistakes or sins of others. First off, Friar Lawrence could easily be considered a scapegoat. He is responsible for marrying Romeo and Juliet, despite the perceived objections of parents who were involved in a bitter feud. He also devises the foiled plan for Juliet to fake her death and be rescued by Romeo at Capulet's tomb. His plan to get a message to Romeo is disrupted as Friar John is delayed by a plague threat in Verona. He flees the tomb after finding Romeo and Paris dead and just as Juliet is awakening. He makes a feeble attempt to pull Juliet away, but she remains to kill herself. The Friar even admits his guilt when he is apprehended in the churchyard after Romeo, Juliet and Paris are found dead in the tomb. He tells the Prince,

I am the greatest, able to do least,
Yet most suspected, as the time and place
Doth make against me, of this direful murder.
And here I stand, both to impeach and purge
Myself condemnèd and myself excused.

The Friar indicates he has already accused himself and found guilt. He goes on to retell the entire story of Romeo and Juliet's love, their marriage, the faked death and that they must have committed suicide in distress over losing each other. He agrees that if any part of the tragedy is his fault he should be put to death:

And if aught in this
Miscarried by my fault, let my old life
Be sacrificed some hour before his time
Unto the rigor of severest law.

The Prince pardons him, saying, "We still have known thee for a holy man."

Lord Capulet could also be blamed. His haste in marrying Juliet to Paris is responsible for much of the mischief which follows. He totally changes his mind about Paris in Act III. Earlier he told Paris to win Juliet's love. Now, he is willing to marry Juliet to him no matter what she thinks and, when she opposes his plan, he flies into a rage, threatening to disown her and throw her out of his house. He tells her in Act III, Scene 5,

Lay hand on heart; advise.
An you be mine, I’ll give you to my friend.
An you be not, hang, beg, starve, die in the streets,
For, by my soul, I’ll ne’er acknowledge thee,
Nor what is mine shall never do thee good.
Trust to ’t; bethink you. I’ll not be forsworn.

Capulet's total about-face and his quick temper force Juliet to agree to the Friar's desperate plan. Had Capulet been more understanding, the events that followed may have been averted.