Fate in Romeo and Juliet
The main theme of fate, in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, is shown throughout the play within subtle comments made by characters, the imagery in the stars, and different writing styles. The prologue describes Romeo's fate, as well as Juliet's, which appears many times later in the play. Throughout the play, Romeo and Juliet unwillingly realize their love has no chance in their current situation of war and hate. A tragic fate awaits them. The two families, the Montagues and the Capulets, are rivals throughout the entire play, until this tragic fate takes its toll on the lovers. There are multiple events that foreshadow Romeo and Juliet's tragic future together. As early as the first scene of the play, there is evidence restating the information given in the prologue. "Romeo:...And makes himself an artificial night" (Shakespeare 38). This passage is a foreshadowing of Romeo's suicide. Montague adds to the effects of foreshadowing when he states, "Unless good council may the cause remove" (Shakespeare 140). In the first act, Romeo is introduced. His great sadness is obvious and the theme of love is presented. Through Romeo's mellow mood we see how desperate he is for love. Romeo falls in love with Juliet, the da
The situation worsens as Tybalt shows the intent to kill Romeo when he says to his Father "I will withdraw; but this intrusion shall, now seeming sweet; convert to bitt'rest gall." (Shakespeare I, VI, lines 91-92) The two families' rage is shown here and fate takes its slow coarse as death is foreshadowed. Romeo and Juliet's love cannot co-exist with the hatred between the two families. The first meeting between Romeo and Juliet starts the chain of tragic events that eventually brings peace to the streets of Verona, and deep sorrow to the quarreling families. In this exchange of apologies and forgiveness, it is shown that both fathers are ready to put their rivalry behind, and honor each other's child, for being messengers of love, driven by fate to stop the cycle of hatred. "That heaven finds means to kill your joys with love." "Friar. These violent delights have violent ends and in their triumph die, like fire and powder, which, as they kiss, consume." (Shakespeare II, vii, lines 9-11) This line tells of the miserable reality and its consequences. Their situation becomes even more difficult when Juliet's Father tells her that she must marry Paris. Her love and meetings with Romeo become secretive, so that no one in Verona shall know of their forbidden love. Her fate is sealed, but stars have different intents with Romeo and Juliet. The physics of the stars are not particularly sophisticated, and it is not clear whether the stars symbolize blinded fate or chance or whether they indicate, as in Julius Caesar and other later plays, the operation of natural forces which may be resisted or modified by human will (Whitaker 84). As Juliet is in despair, she confronts Friar Lawrence. They talk of how they shall not allow Juliet to marry Paris. Juliet explains to Friar Lawrence that nothing shall keep her from Romeo. Going back on the events, fate has ughter of an enemy to the house of Montagues. This innocent love is the first step in a chain of events that leads to the fate driven tragedy. In the same scene, Tybalt is infuriated with Romeo. He is r
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Approximate Word count = 1403
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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