Fate In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

Fate is like a puppeteer controlling people as if they were puppets on strings. No matter how hard someone tries to defy it, fate will always have the upper hand. In William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, it is evident that a tragedy awaits the two lovers through foreshadowing and characterization. Lines from the prologue as well as quotations from the characters give readers a vision of the misadventure that is about to occur to the pair. As the story progresses, hints about their fate is evident and needless to say, it eventually led to the couple's destruction. No matter how hard the pair tries to avoid it, fate is just playing with them. Every action made is just a series of unfortunate events that brings one closer to what is bound

In this Shakespearean play, it is clear that the bad blood between the Capulets and Montagues (both of which are households of high social status) is the ultimate reason for the young lovers’ passion being destined for havoc. The repeated foreshadowing over the course of the play suggests that fate will always find a way to stop the madness and hatred between the two families and that is through the death of Romeo and Juliet. The first instance in which this is depicted is the line from the prologue that states, “A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life...doth with their death bury their parents’ strife.” This establishes the fact that Romeo and Juliet, despite being head over heels in love with each other, are merely being pushed along by fate and that both do not have control of their own love story. Additionally, the line “Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace” by Prince Escalus reinforces how the violent rivalry between two families will eventually cost

The Friar has always been a strong advocate for doing things in moderation hence the line, “Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast.” Ironically however, the holy priest falls over his own feet as what the readers thought would be an absolute solution to the problem fails. Friar Lawrence being a holy figure puts him in a place of reverence which is why the lovers turned to him for advice. The quote “These violent delights have violent ends and in their triumph die, like fire and powder.” substantiates the star-crossed lovers’ as-fast-as-lightning relationship and foreshadows that this will eventually take a toll on them. Contradictorily, the Friar is hasty in making decisions in hopes of finally ending the strife between the Capulets and Montagues. The churchman devises a plan to give Juliet a concoction and send the news to Romeo however because of miscommunication, this plan caused the worst downfall of the two lovers: death. Additionally, the quote “A greater power than we can contradict hath thwarted our intents” indicates that the Friar has no control over fate. This fate is the reason that prevents what is desired to be accomplished by Romeo and Juliet. This goes to show that even the wisest and most logical