The Prince declares: "I am the cause of all their woe, / My unskill'd government and party rage, / Which, better rul'd, would have preserv'd these two."
The Prince understands that his insufficient leadership and inability to control the violent conflict between the two families enabled the circumstances that led to Romeo and Juliet's tragic fate. He blames himself for neglecting the well-being of his people and allowing their private quarrels to reach such an extreme level.
By openly taking responsibility, the Prince also aims to restore peace and harmony to the divided city. Through his self-criticism and acknowledgment of guilt, he hopes to bring an end to the cycle of violence and animosity that has plagued Verona.