examples of fate in romeo and juliet essay

Romeo and Juliet

William shakespeare, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

Though much of Romeo and Juliet is driven by the choices its main characters make and the actions they take, there is a dark undercurrent running throughout the play: the suggestion that fate, not free will, is behind the entirety of the human experience. Repeated references to fate and fortune throughout the play underscore Shakespeare’s suggestion that humans are merely pawns in a larger cosmic scheme—invisible but inescapable fates, Shakespeare argues throughout the play, steer the course of human lives, and any and all actions that attempt to subvert those fates are futile and doomed to fail.

In the world of Romeo and Juliet , fate and predetermined destinies are an accepted part of life and society. From the chorus that introduces the first two acts of the play, commenting upon the events that are about to take place, to the characters’ own preoccupation with the unseen forces that control them, Shakespeare imbues the world of the play with the heavy atmosphere of a “black fate” sitting like a storm cloud just above the entirety of the action. Throughout the play, characters acknowledge—and make “misadventured” attempts to thwart—the invisible forces guiding their lives. Yet every attempt to outsmart, outwit, or dodge fate ends terribly. By having Romeo and Juliet verbally acknowledge—privately and to one another—their fears about their doomed fates, Shakespeare showcases how badly his characters want to believe that their desires and actions stand a chance in the face of fate’s wily hand. “Alack, alack, that heaven should practice stratagems / Upon so soft a subject as myself,” Juliet laments after learning that her parents have arranged for her to marry Paris , not knowing that she is already married to Romeo. Juliet has, at this late point in the play, had to deal with the death of her cousin, the cruelty of her family, and the destruction of her previously held ideals about the nature of good and evil, friend and enemy. She has, she feels, been through enough—and is beginning to believe that fate is “practic[ing]” on her, striking her with terrible news and insurmountable problems for sport. Juliet acknowledges the role fate plays in her life—she knows she is a pawn of the “heaven[s]”—and yet her actions over the course of the rest of the play show that she longs to fly in the face of heaven’s decrees.

“O, I am fortune’s fool!” Romeo screams shortly after he kills Tybalt in a duel; “I deny you, stars !” he shouts when he learns of Juliet’s “death” in the play’s final act. In these two expressions of frustration with fate and fortune, Shakespeare uses Romeo’s anger at fate’s dominion to show that while he hates realizing he is on a predetermined path, he is nonetheless cognizant of his lack of autonomy in the face of fortune’s plans for him. When Romeo calls himself “fortune’s fool” after slaying Tybalt, he laments, perhaps, having committed the act he knew he’d have to commit all along: killing the man who killed his best friend. Now that he has committed murder, however, Romeo feels he has been a “fool” to play into fortune’s hand, and to fail resisting harder the pull of fate’s demands. When Romeo learns of Juliet’s death, he cries out that he will “deny” the stars—in other words, he doesn’t want to believe Juliet is dead, or possibly believes, deep down, that there is something he can do to reverse what the stars have ordained even if she is. As he prepares to ride from Mantua to Verona to investigate the truth of his servant Balthasar ’s news, he is admitting, full-out, that he plans to try to reverse his and Juliet’s fortunes—even as, in the same breath, he tacitly admits that he knows their fates are already written in the stars.

Shakespeare’s argument about fate is a bleak one. The insinuation that forces humans can neither comprehend nor control guide their words and actions is perhaps even more sinister in a contemporary context than it would have been in Shakespeare’s own time. Though debates concerning free will versus determinism stretch back to antiquity, faith in humans’ ability to steer their own destinies did not begin to emerge more widely throughout Western culture until well after Shakespeare’s time. Whether or not Shakespeare himself believed in the total dominion of fate and fortune, he certainly used his plays as an arena to work out his frustrations with the mechanisms of individual destiny—and to suggest that to deny or defy one’s fate is a fatal, calamitous choice. 

Fate ThemeTracker

Fate Quotes in Romeo and Juliet

Two households, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes, A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life; Whose misadventured piteous overthrows, Doth with their death bury their parents' strife. The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love, And the continuance of their parents' rage, Which, but their children's end, nought could remove, Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage; The which if you with patient ears attend, What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.

Romeo: I dream'd a dream to-night. Mercutio: And so did I. Romeo: Well, what was yours? Mercutio: That dreamers often lie.

Oh, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope's ear, Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear. So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows. The measure done, I'll watch her place of stand, And, touching hers, make blessèd my rude hand. Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.

My only love sprung from my only hate! Too early seen unknown, and known too late!

O, swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon, That monthly changes in her circled orb, Lest that thy love prove likewise variable.

Romeo: Courage, man; the hurt cannot be much. Mercutio: No, 'tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as a church-door; but 'tis enough, 'twill serve: ask for me to-morrow, and you shall find me a grave man.

O, I am fortune's fool!

Is there no pity sitting in the clouds That sees into the bottom of my grief? O sweet my mother, cast me not away! Delay this marriage for a month, a week, Or if you do not, make the bridal bed In that dim monument where Tybalt lies.

Then I defy you, stars!

O true apothecary! Thy drugs are quick. — Thus with a kiss I die.

Yea, noise, then I'll be brief; O, happy dagger! This is thy sheath; there rest, and let me die.

The Role of Fate in 'Romeo and Juliet'

Were the star-cross'd lovers doomed from the start?

• Shakespeare's Life and World
• Best Sellers
• Classic Literature
• Plays & Drama
• Short Stories
• Children's Books
• M.A., Theater Studies, Warwick University
• B.A., Drama and English, DeMontfort University

There's no real consensus among Shakespearean scholars about the role of fate in "Romeo and Juliet." Were the "star-cross'd lovers" doomed from the start, their tragic futures determined before they even met? Or are the events of this famed play a matter of bad luck and missed chances?

Let's take a look at the role of fate and destiny in the story of the two teenagers from Verona whose feuding families couldn't keep them apart.

Examples of Fate in 'Romeo and Juliet'

The story of Romeo and Juliet asks the question, "Are our lives and destinies preordained?" While it is possible to see the play as a series of coincidences, bad luck, and bad decisions, many scholars see the story as an unfolding of events predetermined by fate. 

For example, in the opening lines of "Romeo and Juliet," Shakespeare allows the audience to hear his characters’ destiny. We learn early on what is going to happen to the title characters: “a pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life.” As a result, the idea of a preordained ending is already on the audience's mind as the story plays out.

Then, in Act One, Scene Three, Romeo is already feeling that fate is planning his doom before the Capulet's party. He wonders if he should attend the party, as "my mind misgives / Some consequence yet hanging in the stars."  

In Act Three, Scene One, when Mercutio shouts “a plague on both your houses," he's foreshadowing what's to come for the title couple. This bloody scene in which characters are killed gives us a glimpse of what's to come, marking the beginning of Romeo and Juliet’s tragic downfall.

When Mercutio dies, Romeo himself foreshadows the outcome: "This day's black fate on more days doth depend / This but begins the woe, others must end." The others upon whom fate later falls, of course, are Romeo and Juliet.

In Act Five, when he hears of Juliet's death, Romeo swears he will defy fate: "Is it even so? Then I defy you, stars!" Later, as he plans his own death in Juliet's tomb, Romeo says: "O, here / Will I set up my everlasting rest, / And shake the yoke of inauspicious stars / From this world-wearied flesh." This brave defiance of fate is especially heartbreaking because Romeo's suicide is the event that leads to Juliet's death.

The idea of fate permeates through many of the events and speeches in the play. Romeo and Juliet see omens throughout, continually reminding the audience that the outcome will not be a happy one.

Their deaths are also a catalyst for change in Verona, as the dueling families become united in their mutual grief and create a political shift in the city. Perhaps Romeo and Juliet were  fated to love —and die—for the greater good of Verona.

Were Romeo and Juliet Victims of Circumstance?

Other readers may examine the play through the lens of happenstance and coincidence, and thus conclude that Romeo and Juliet's fates were not wholly predetermined but rather a series of unfortunate and unlucky events.

For instance, Romeo and Benvolio happen to meet and talk about love on the very day of the Capulets' ball. Had they had the conversation the following day, Romeo would not have met Juliet.

In Act Five, we learn that Friar Lawrence's messenger to Romeo, who would have explained the plan of Juliet's pretend death, is detained, and Romeo doesn't get the message. If the messenger had not tried to find someone to accompany him on the trip, he would not have been held back.

Finally, Juliet wakes just moments after Romeo's suicide. Had Romeo arrived just a few moments later, all would have been well.

It is certainly possible to describe the events of the play as a series of unfortunate events and coincidences. That said, it is a much more rewarding reading experience to consider the role of fate in "Romeo and Juliet."

• Romeo: Shakespeare's Famous Doomed Lover
• Key 'Romeo and Juliet' Quotes
• The House of Capulet in Romeo and Juliet
• Members of the Montague-Capulet Feud in 'Romeo and Juliet'
• The House of Montague in 'Romeo and Juliet'
• Romeo and Juliet From 'Beautiful Stories From Shakespeare'
• Love in 'Romeo and Juliet'
• 'Romeo and Juliet' Scenes
• Academic Speculation on the Year Shakespeare Wrote ‘Romeo and Juliet’
• The Supporting Cast of 'Romeo and Juliet'
• What Is Drama? Literary Definition and Examples
• Romeo's Monologues From "Romeo and Juliet
• The Best Shakespeare Plays for High School
• Juliet's Monologues From Shakespeare's Tragedy
• Must-Read Books If You Like Romeo and Juliet
• William Shakespeare's Most Famous Plays

Exemplar Essay: Fate

How does Shakespeare present the theme of fate?

Read this extract from Act 5 Scene 2 of Romeo and Juliet and then answer the question that follows. At this point in the play the Friar John has returned unsuccessfully from trying to deliver Friar Laurence’s letter to Romeo.

Going to find a bare-foot brother out

One of our order, to associate me,

Here in this city visiting the sick,

And finding him, the searchers of the town,

Suspecting that we both were in a house

Where the infectious pestilence did reign,

Seal'd up the doors, and would not let us forth;

So that my speed to Mantua there was stay'd.

FRIAR LAURENCE

Who bare my letter, then, to Romeo?

I could not send it,--here it is again,--

Nor get a messenger to bring it thee,

So fearful were they of infection.

Unhappy fortune! by my brotherhood,

The letter was not nice but full of charge

Of dear import, and the neglecting it

May do much danger. Friar John, go hence;

Get me an iron crow, and bring it straight

Unto my cell.

Starting with this extract, explore how Shakespeare presents fate as a force that controls the characters.

Write about:

• how Shakespeare presents fate in this extract.

• how Shakespeare presents fate in the play as a whole.

AO4 [4 marks]

Romeo and Juliet is about how strong emotions have tragic consequences. Through the theme of fate, Shakespeare invites his audience to question how far the characters’ tragic deaths were predetermined and how far they were decided by Romeo and Juliet’s impulsive actions. He also invites the audience to consider how far their future is decided by societal norms - not fate.

In the extract, Shakespeare implies that fate has prevented the letter from reaching Friar John. In lines 5-8, Shakespeare has Friar John state that he was unable to deliver the letter due to an ‘infectious pestilence’, which resulted in the doors of Mantua being ‘sealed’. While Shakespeare does not state explicitly that it is fate that has caused the plague to hit Mantua at the very moment that Friar John needs to deliver an important letter to Romeo, his Elizabethan audience, strong believers in the power of the stars and planets to predetermine our futures, would have seen this as more than an unhappy coincidence. It does therefore seem that fate is working against Romeo and Juliet.

In the extract, Shakespeare also suggests that Friar Laurence blames fate for this unfortunate event. In line 14, Shakespeare has Friar Laurence cry ‘unhappy fortune!’. In other words, Friar Laurence is stating that it is terribly bad luck that the letter has not reached Romeo. Shakespeare’s use of the word ‘fortune’ implies that Friar Laurence blames a higher power for this coincidence. Friar Laurence’s words could echo the Elizabethan audience’s fears that fate has already decided Romeo and Juliet are doomed. Shakespeare’s choice for the letter to be undelivered creates tension for the audience, as they begin to wonder if Romeo and Juliet are drawing ever-closer to their tragic deaths.

In the prologue, Shakespeare makes clear that Romeo and Juliet are doomed to die. The first time the audience is introduced to Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare describes their love as ‘death-marked’, which immediately tells the audience that the lovers will die tragically. An Elizabethan audience, who believed in fate, would have believed it possible for Romeo and Juliet’s fate to be decided from birth. By introducing Romeo and Juliet to the audience in this way, perhaps Shakespeare invites the audience to closely scrutinise the actions taken by all of the characters and decide for themselves how far fate is to blame for the tragic deaths.

However, in the play as a whole, Romeo acts impulsively, which contributes to his tragic downfall. The moment he meets Juliet, Romeo forgets Rosaline, his previous love, and asks ‘did my heart love till now?’. This surprising and impulsive change of mind is a stark example of the tragic flaw that leads Romeo towards his death, and is just the first of many similar actions: Romeo marries Juliet the day after meeting her; he murders Tybalt without thinking of the consequence threatened by Prince Escalus; he rushes to Verona with poison and takes it before Juliet wakes. Shakespeare’s presentation of Romeo in this way indicates that Romeo’s depth of passion and emotion are partly to blame for the speed at which he and Juliet are catapulted towards their deaths. If Romeo had been able to think more clearly and rationally rather than rushing to action before considering the consequences, perhaps some of the tragedy could have been avoided.

Also in the play as whole, Shakespeare explores how the restrictions of arranged marriage force Juliet closer to her tragic death. Unlike Romeo, whose impulsive actions are within his control as a man in the Elizabethan era, Juliet’s future is out of her hands. Before the audience meets Juliet in person, we witness a discussion about her between Lord Capulet and Paris. Although Lord Capulet is protective over Juliet, urging Paris to wait for two more years as Juliet is still a ‘stranger in the world’, he does consent to Paris wooing Juliet before asking Juliet’s views. It is clear, therefore, that Juliet has limited say in her future. The audience cannot help but wonder how the marriage between Romeo and Juliet can end happily, given that she has chosen her own suitor and has gone as far as to choose the son of her father’s arch-enemy. Later in the play, when Lord Capulet decides to speed up the marriage, Juliet is pressured to take action. Knowing that she will ‘hang, beg, starve, die in the streets’ if she refuses to marry Paris, Juliet feels she has no option but to consent, and plan an escape. Perhaps if Lord Capulet had not chosen to bring the marriage forward by two years, Juliet may have had an opportunity to be reunited with Romeo. Shakespeare could therefore be challenging traditional patriarchal attitudes to marriage, in which the daughter has limited say over her husband, because this is arguably a contributing factor in Juliet’s death.

In conclusion, it is clear that there are many references to fate within the play that indicate a higher power could be dictating Romeo and Juliet’s future but Shakespeare’s presentation of Romeo’s tragic flaw and arranged marriage certainly invite the audience to consider how far events may have played out differently if the characters had made different decisions.

In the extract, Shakespeare suggests that fate has prevented the letter from reaching Friar John. In lines 5-8, Shakespeare has Friar John state ‘Where the infectious pestilence did reign, Seal'd up the doors’. In other words, Friar John is saying that he couldn’t deliver the letter because he wasn’t allowed into Mantua dye to the plague. Although Shakespeare does not state that fate has stopped Friar John from delivering the letter, it is hinted at. His Elizabethan audience, who believed that the stars and planets could decide their futures, would have believed that fate stopped Friar John from delivering the letter. Therefore it does seem that fate is working against Romeo and Juliet.

In the extract, Shakespeare also suggests that Friar Laurence blames fate. In line 14, Shakespeare has Friar Laurence cry ‘unhappy fortune!’. In other words, Friar Laurence is stating that it is very bad luck that the letter has not reached Romeo. Shakespeare’s use of the word ‘fortune’ implies that Friar Laurence blames a higher power for this. The Elizabethan audience would have understood why Friar Laurence blames a higher power because they believed in fate. Shakespeare’s choice for the letter to be undelivered creates tension for the audience because they begin to wonder if Romeo and Juliet will soon die.

In the prologue, Shakespeare makes clear that Romeo and Juliet are doomed to die. The first time the audience is introduced to Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare describes their love as ‘death-marked’, which immediately tells the audience that the lovers will not lead long and happy lives. An Elizabethan audience, who believed in fate, would have believed it was possible for Romeo and Juliet’s fate to be decided from birth. Shakespeare could have described Romeo and Juliet as ‘death-marked’ because he wanted his audience to think very carefully about the actions the characters take and decide if it was fate or their own choices that caused them to die.

However, in the play as a whole, Romeo acts impulsively, which contributes to his death. When Romeo sees Juliet at the Capulet ball, Shakespeare has him ask ‘did my heart love till now?’. This question is very surprising because moments earlier Romeo was claiming to be madly in love with Rosaline. This reveals that Romeo is impulsive and quickly changes his mind. We also see that Romeo is impulsive when he kills Tybalt and when he takes the poison at Juliet’s tomb. Shakespeare presents Romeo as impulsive because he wants to show how dangerous it can be when you act quickly on your feelings without thinking about the consequences. It could be argued that Romeo’s impulsive actions are the cause of his death rather than fate.

Also in the play as whole, Shakespeare presents Juliet’s arranged marriage as a cause of her death. Unlike Romeo, Juliet is not able to choose who she marries. When Juliet refuses to marry Paris, Shakespeare has Lord Capulet order her to ‘hang, beg, starve, die in the streets’. Shakespeare’s use of violent language demonstrates how trapped Juliet is because, if she chooses not to marry Paris, she will be thrown out and left to die. As a result of Lord Capulet rushing the marriage, Juliet asks for Friar Laurence’s help to fake her own death. Because of her faking her own death and the letter not reaching Romeo, he thinks she is actually dead and kills himself. Maybe if Juliet hadn’t been told she was going to marry Paris straight away, she might have had time to reunite with Romeo properly, which could have stopped her death. Shakespeare could therefore be suggesting that Juliet’s arranged marriage caused her death, rather than fate. Perhaps he wanted to challenge traditional views towards marriage in the Elizabethan era.

The Portrayal of Fate in “Romeo and Juliet” Essay

Introduction.

Romeo and Juliet are unquestionably the most famous pair of lovers in world literature. Since the play’s inception in the 16th century, they have fallen in love and died in each other’s arms innumerable times. Just as the actors performing the play are bound by Shakespeare’s script, the actions of the characters within it have been predetermined by the hand of fate. There are repeated references to destiny, fortune, and the futility of trying to escape or subvert them. Thus, the play Romeo and Juliet demonstrates that fate is the invisible, unavoidable force behind the entirety of the human experience.

Firstly, the inevitability of fate is coded into the main plot of Romeo and Juliet. The Capulets and Montague have been embroiled in a blood feud with no other reason given than an “ancient grudge” (Shakespeare Prologue 3). The origins of the conflict are inexplicable but accepted as an unavoidable fact by all the characters. Similarly, humans submit to the workings of fate even if it remains inscrutable to them. Romeo and Juliet fail and die in their attempt to escape the family feud; the same tragic ending awaits any person who cannot accept their fate. Therefore, the main characters’ failure to escape the age-old vendetta between their families is reflective of the human inability to subvert destiny.

Secondly, the prologue establishes that the events of the play have been predetermined not just by the author, but supernatural forces. The main characters have sprung from “the fatal loins” of the two rival families, and nothing but their death can put an end to the conflict (Shakespeare Prologue 5). They are a “star-crossed” couple, consumed by love that is “death-marked” (Shakespeare Prologue 6, 9). Thus the atmosphere of the play is imbued with the inevitability of tragedy. The following events, from Romeo’s fight with Tybalt to the lovers’ double suicide, are not just the result of bad luck and coincidence. The prologue has dictated the action from the very beginning. Fate is playing a chess game and slowly pushing all the players into the correct positions. The prologue divests humans of their free will and presents them as ignorant pawns in a larger cosmic scheme.

Thirdly, the characters themselves are preoccupied with the rule of fate over their lives. They do not remain blind to its machinations but verbally acknowledge their fears about its callousness. Juliet laments that “heaven should practice stratagems upon so soft a subject as myself” (Shakespeare 3.5.209-210). Romeo sighs that he is made a “fortune’s fool” after Tybalt is slain (Shakespeare 3.1.127). Both Romeo and Juliet recognize their lack of autonomy and long to flout the decrees of heaven. Once Romeo learns of Juliet’s death, he declares that he wishes to “defy you, stars,” and later “shake the yoke of inauspicious stars” (Shakespeare 5.1.25, 5.3.111). Romeo and Juliet believe that they are choosing to die for their love as a final assertion of personal will. However, the prologue hints that even this decision was predestined in order to finally heal the rift between the Capulets and Montagues. The constant references to the stars and fortune display that humans are cognizant of fate’s power, but that does not save them from falling prey to it.

Fourthly, the characters do not simply fear the possibility of doom but experience direct premonitions of the tragic fate that awaits them. Romeo fears that “some consequence [is] yet hanging in the stars” upon entering the Capulet ball (Shakespeare 1.5.107). Before even discovering his family name, Juliet looks at Romeo and predicts that her “grave is like to be [her] wedding bed” (Shakespeare 1.5.134). On the balcony, she exclaims that she has an “ill-divining soul” and sees Romeo “as one dead in the bottom of a tomb” (Shakespeare 3.5.54-56). Fate in Romeo and Juliet is not just a retroactive justification of the characters’ impulses or ignorance. They predict that their end will be unhappy even before learning that they come from rival families. Therefore, fate is not a rationalization for human foolishness but an active, supernatural force that puppeteers the characters and leads them to their deaths.

In conclusion, the central tension in Romeo and Juliet is not between the lovers and their families but between free will and fate. Shakespeare demonstrates that destiny is an omnipotent force that humans can neither comprehend nor resist. The futility of subversion is coded into the play’s central plot; Romeo and Juliet’s failure to overcome the family feud is reflective of the human inability to deny destiny. The prologue establishes humans as pawns in a cosmic chess game that they cannot escape even if they acknowledge their role. The characters predict their death even before they learn each other’s names, proving that fate is not simply an excuse but an active force. The self in modern Western culture is understood as a self-contained, self-determining, independent unit. However, a story about the calamitous consequences of attempting to defy destiny still retains a strong hold over the Western imagination.

Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. Edited by G. Blakemore Evans, Cambridge University Press, 2003.

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2023, November 2). The Portrayal of Fate in “Romeo and Juliet”. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-portrayal-of-fate-in-romeo-and-juliet/

"The Portrayal of Fate in “Romeo and Juliet”." IvyPanda , 2 Nov. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/the-portrayal-of-fate-in-romeo-and-juliet/.

IvyPanda . (2023) 'The Portrayal of Fate in “Romeo and Juliet”'. 2 November.

IvyPanda . 2023. "The Portrayal of Fate in “Romeo and Juliet”." November 2, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-portrayal-of-fate-in-romeo-and-juliet/.

1. IvyPanda . "The Portrayal of Fate in “Romeo and Juliet”." November 2, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-portrayal-of-fate-in-romeo-and-juliet/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "The Portrayal of Fate in “Romeo and Juliet”." November 2, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-portrayal-of-fate-in-romeo-and-juliet/.

• Love and Sadness in the First Act of “Romeo and Juliet”
• Symbolism and Foreshadowing in "Romeo and Juliet"
• Romeo and Juliet: The Twentieth Century
• Forbidden Love in Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare
• Different Types of Love Portrayed in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet Term Paper
• Breaking the Rules: Romeo and Juliet’s Quest for Independence
• Shakespeare's Romeo as a Tragic Hero
• Nurse and Friar Laurence in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”
• Character Analysis of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”
• Franco Zeffirelli's "Romeo and Juliet" Adaptation
• Character of Melissa in “Magic 8 Ball” by Kimberly Pau
• The Play "A Doll's House" by Henrik Ibsen: Feminist Themes
• The Play "A Raisin in the Sun" by Lorraine Hansberry
• Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”: Hamlet as a Masculine Character
• Walter Lee Younger in "A Raisin in the Sun" by Hansberry

The Theme of Fate in Romeo and Juliet Essay Example

In Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare, fate is displayed as a prominent theme and plays a preeminent role in shaping the outcome of the events that take place throughout the play. This is evident through the timing of events, the circumstances surrounding both characters, and the progression of events despite the repeated skepticism shown and premonitions made  by the characters. From the consequences of the play, one can learn that no matter how strong true love is, it must still follow the inevitable course of fate.

The timing of the events has a huge influence on the unfolding of events. Firstly, other people surrounding the lovers eventually lead them to one another. For example, Peter, being illiterate, meets Romeo on the street and asks him to read the list of people invited to the party, unaware of the fact that he is a Montague. This coincidental interaction causes Romeo to discover the Capulet masquerade, which he decides to attend alongside Mercutio and Benvolio. Eventually, he comes across Juliet during the masquerade and they passionately fall in love with each other at first sight. Secondly, Romeo’s emotional behavior takes over and puts him in grief, which leads him into making a bad decision. For instance, shortly after Romeo sees Juliet dead in the Capulet tomb, he says, “Come, bitter conduct, come, unsavory guide! / Thou desperate pilot, now at once run on / The dashing rocks thy seasick weary bark!” (5. 3. 116-118). He drinks the poison he brought from the Apothecary and kills himself just moments before Juliet wakes up to find him dead. Ultimately, the timing of events emphasizes their ill fate and shows how precisely destiny is molding their journey.

The progression of events despite the repeated skepticism and premonitions also played a role shaping the final outcome. Firstly, Romeo’s idea that he is ill-fated comes into play. For example, before he enters the party with Mercutio and Benvolio, he says, “I fear too early, for my mind misgives / Some consequence yet hanging in the stars / Shall bitterly begin his fearful date” (1. 4. 113-115). In other words, he foretells his death before any complications develop, but still confidently walks into the party and disregards his premonition shortly after. Furthermore, Friar Lawrence, being a wise and prestigious figure, often gives advice to many in need. Romeo being one who needs guidance, Friar Lawrence advises him to love moderately after he marries both of them. Indeed, Friar Lawrence foreshadowed something terrible to happen, though in his optimism, marries both of them hoping that their marriage will end the long-lasting feud between their families. All in all, the overall progression of events shows that both lovers were the victims of ill-fate and their destiny was undeniable.

Related Samples

• “The Great Gatsby” vs. “To Kill A Mockingbird” Comparison Essay Sample
• The Negative Impacts that Of Mice and Men Has on Students
• The Analysis of Poetry Makes Nothing Happen By Julia Alvarez
• Reading Response on the Beowulf Funeral Essay Example
• Companionship in Of Mice and Men Essay Example
• Anthem For Doomed Youth Poem Analysis Essay
• Masks in Literature Free Essay Sample
• Reverend Parris and Judge Danfoth from Arthur Miller’s The Crucible Essay Example
• The Death of Romeo and Juliet Argumentative Essay Example
• Literary Analysis of 2BR02B Essay Example

Didn't find the perfect sample?

You can order a custom paper by our expert writers

The role of fate in Romeo and Juliet

Table of Contents

Introduction

Fate is an unseeable and inescapable thing. It can create many fatal events in human lives. In William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, fate is an integral element of the plot that connects Romeo and Juliet’s lives. Fate is shown in Romeo’s communication with the illiterate servant, the apothecary and finally Romeo and Juliet’s trying to intervene in their fate.

How does fate play a role in Romeo and Juliet

The meeting of the two main characters was not an accident at first. From the beginning of the story, when the servant of the Capulet mansion encounters Benvolio and Romeo, he asks for their help with the guest list, not knowing that they are Montagues.  “My master is the great rich Capulet, and, if you be not/of the house of Montagues, I pray come and crush a / cup of wine.” (Rom. I II, 81-84). It is no coincidence that the servant ran into the two Montagues. This case was definitely the will of fate. Also, Romeo’s melancholic behavior and unrequited love for Rosaline is timed perfectly with the event of the Capulet ball. Romeo’s great desire to see Rosaline at the ball was the main reason for his arrival. “Sips the fair Rosaline whom thou so loves, With all the admired beauties of Verona:” (I ii, 85-86). Shakespeare, through plot manipulations, shows the main role of fate in changing events in both Romeo and Juliet’s lives.

Also, throughout the play, various characters influence the fate of Romeo and Juliet. For instance, the Apothecary in act five played a significant part in identifying Romeo and Juliet’s fate.“Come hither, man I see that thou art poor. / A dram of poison, such soon-speeding gear as will disperse itself through all the veins.”(V.I.59-61).  Shakespeare used this character to develop the plot leading the lovers to their untimely death. The Apothecary plays an important role in making the fatal decision to give Romeo the poison he needed to commit suicide. On his way to the Apothecary, Romeo depicts the physical condition of the Apothecary, both of the man and the store. Figuratively, these depictions are describing the Apothecary, but they also give us an insight into Romeo’s mental state. The moment when Romeo is so depressed that he even can’t have the strength to survive Juliet’s death shows how much fate affects the further development of events.   Romeo, not realizing his actions, falls into the trap of fate and takes his part. Also, the fake death of Juliet by the will of fate is intertwined with the Apothecary’s poverty and his desperate desire for wealth. Romeo’s journey along with his meeting of the foolhardy Apothecary were all timed by fate. The life paths of the star-crossed lovers are weaved by fate, eventually bringing the lovers to their tragic end.

In the play Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare determines the importance of fate from the very beginning. “A pair of star-crossed lovers.” (Prologue. 6-7) The quote makes it clear that lovers are not meant to be together. Shakespeare skillfully plays the fate of lovers, and in many instances, characters realize their fate. Throughout the story, Romeo and Juliet try to defy their fate as star-crossed lovers and desperately want to be together for the rest of their lives. In act three scene four Romeo asks Juliet to marry him. The two characters try their hardest to build their love even despite the fact they belong to warring families. Romeo and Juliet realize that their couple will never be accepted due to years of conflicts and hostility between their families. Indeed, Juliet tries to fight her fate by acting without her parents’ knowledge and breaking traditions.

Moreover, Juliet cabals with the Friar to avoid her parents and her arranged marriage to Paris. Unaware of her actions, Juliet sets in motion a chain of events that ultimately lead to Romeo’s death. Romeo, deciding that Juliet is dead, cannot live without her and makes the fateful decision to commit suicide. Juliet awakens to find her lover dead and as Romeo believed she knows they can only indeed be together eternally through death. In the end, the two families realized the misery their feud had led to and made peace.

In summary, fate is shown in many areas of the play including Romeo’s contact with the illiterate servant, the apothecary and Romeo and Juliet’s attempts to thwart fate. From the beginning of the play, the role of fate in the lives of the two lovers was obvious. In William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, fate played a significant role in controlling Romeo and Juliet’s lives and finally led them to their deaths. There is no reason for their hate. It led to the two stubborn families; unfortunately, having to lose their children to realize what a great mistake it is to be hateful. Fate ultimately teaches the families the lesson not to hate.

• Shakespeare, W. (1993). Romeo and Juliet. Dover Publications.
• A Rose for Emily
• Animal Farm
• Death of a Salesman
• Fahrenheit 451
• Flowers for Algernon
• George Orwell's 1984
• Gothic Literature

Romeo and Juliet: Fate or Free Will?

This essay will discuss the themes of fate and free will in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” It will analyze how these themes influence the characters’ actions and the play’s tragic outcome. PapersOwl offers a variety of free essay examples on the topic of Free Will.

How it works

The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet has two very prevalent themes. One can cease that the two apposite themes are free will and fate. Within the script of this beloved play, Shakespeare displays a mixed notion of the actual theme which could lead to the assumption that either theme can be lectured. The denotative meaning of fate being … events beyond a person’s control and free will meaning power of acting without the constraint of necessity or fate both can be informed as the plausible theme.

Both themes could suit this calamitous play.

Free Will in Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet, two of the main characters, construct decisions together out of free will and personal choice. When Romeo and Juliet make secret wedding arrangements, they do this with full sovereignty of their actions. For instance, the Juliet claims, Thy purpose marriage, send me word tomorrow And all of my fortunes at thy foot I’ll lay which shows that Juliet is willing to jeopardize everything to marry Romeo. These preposterous, quick decisions lead to the downfall of the pair which included Juliet threatened disownment by her parents, and the ultimate death of both Romeo and Juliet. Though tribulations were aroused by the bad decisions made by the couple, some instances were brought upon them by pure fate.

Within the play, the characters encounter situations that are inevitable and fueled in spite of fate. The strongest evidence of fate is when Romeo meets Juliet at the Capulet party. Romeo’s predominant intention was to meet his current infatuation, Rosaline, but instead he landed his eyes on Juliet, and instantly had a change in mind and fell in love with Juliet. Romeo recites in act one scene five, Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night, which demonstrates Romeo instantaneously being struck by Cupid’s bow as soon as he saw Juliet. Fate plays substantial role in this incident because Romeo had no idea that he would meet Juliet. Throughout the play, Shakespeare is sure to write on few occurrences how juvenile Romeo and Juliet were which could play part in some adrenaline fueled instances.

In 2011, scientist came upon the conclusion that adolescents react in ludicrous and impetuous ways rather than adults due to developmental stages. Certain areas of the human brain develop well into adulthood which is why teens and adults may react contrastingly to certain situations. According to the research, Pictures of the brain in action show that adolescents’ brains function differently than adults their actions are more guided more by the amygdala and less by the frontal cortex, which the author of this report earlier explains that the amygdala is accountable for instinctual reactions of aggression and trepidation, but on the other hand, the frontal cortex is a later developed section that sways cogent thinking. Using these scientific findings, one could connect Romeo killing Tybalt as a spontaneous reaction to Tybalt killing his close friend Mercutio.

The two rife themes of The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet are very strong, viable themes. As well as the scientific research that could also assist why the young characters acted out more than the older characters. Though when collectively putting the evidence in thought, many instances, whether it be fate or free will, defied against the fierce feelings of the star-crossed lovers. Ultimately leading to the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet.

Cite this page

Romeo and Juliet: Fate or Free Will?. (2019, Jul 31). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/romeo-and-juliet-fate-or-free-will/

"Romeo and Juliet: Fate or Free Will?." PapersOwl.com , 31 Jul 2019, https://papersowl.com/examples/romeo-and-juliet-fate-or-free-will/

PapersOwl.com. (2019). Romeo and Juliet: Fate or Free Will? . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/romeo-and-juliet-fate-or-free-will/ [Accessed: 26 Apr. 2024]

"Romeo and Juliet: Fate or Free Will?." PapersOwl.com, Jul 31, 2019. Accessed April 26, 2024. https://papersowl.com/examples/romeo-and-juliet-fate-or-free-will/

"Romeo and Juliet: Fate or Free Will?," PapersOwl.com , 31-Jul-2019. [Online]. Available: https://papersowl.com/examples/romeo-and-juliet-fate-or-free-will/. [Accessed: 26-Apr-2024]

PapersOwl.com. (2019). Romeo and Juliet: Fate or Free Will? . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/romeo-and-juliet-fate-or-free-will/ [Accessed: 26-Apr-2024]

Don't let plagiarism ruin your grade

Hire a writer to get a unique paper crafted to your needs.

Our writers will help you fix any mistakes and get an A+!

Please check your inbox.

You can order an original essay written according to your instructions.

Trusted by over 1 million students worldwide

1. Tell Us Your Requirements

2. Pick your perfect writer

3. Get Your Paper and Pay

Hi! I'm Amy, your personal assistant!

Don't know where to start? Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert.

short deadlines

100% Plagiarism-Free

Certified writers

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Romeo and Juliet — Literary Analysis Of Romeo And Juliet

Literary Analysis of Romeo and Juliet

• Categories: Romeo and Juliet

About this sample

Words: 697 |

Published: Mar 13, 2024

Words: 697 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

Table of contents

The theme of love is central to romeo and juliet, and it is expressed in various forms throughout the play., the character of romeo embodies the impulsive and passionate nature of love, as he falls deeply in love with juliet after only a brief encounter., shakespeare employs a variety of literary devices to convey the complexities of love and fate in romeo and juliet., as the play reaches its tragic conclusion, the themes of love and fate converge in a devastating climax., in conclusion, romeo and juliet remains a timeless masterpiece that continues to resonate with audiences today..

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Dr. Heisenberg

Verified writer

• Expert in: Literature

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

2 pages / 926 words

1.5 pages / 865 words

4 pages / 1657 words

1.5 pages / 763 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Romeo and Juliet

The tragic story of Romeo and Juliet is one of the most famous and enduring tales of love and loss in literature. The conclusion of their story is a poignant and heartbreaking moment that has captivated audiences for centuries. [...]

In the timeless tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, one character who often finds himself at the center of blame is Friar Lawrence. This essay will delve into the question of whether Friar Lawrence is to blame for the tragic deaths of [...]

In William Shakespeare's famous tragedy "Romeo and Juliet," the theme of punishment plays a crucial role in shaping the actions and outcomes of the characters. Punishment, in its various forms, serves as a driving force behind [...]

The tragic tale of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare has captivated audiences for centuries with its themes of love, conflict, and fate. One of the most poignant moments in the play is the untimely death of Juliet, which [...]

Romeo and Juliet, a tragic love story written by William Shakespeare. A pair of star-crossed lovers that fall in love. Unfortunately, fate is against them and the misfortune is what leads to a tragic and sorrowful ending.Romeo [...]

Introduction to William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet Mention of the role of fate and destiny in the story Analysis of how Shakespeare introduces the concept of fate in the prologue Explanation of terms like [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free