Foreshadow and the Power of Destiny

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The idea of fate and destiny has caught the attention of many writers, one of them being William Shakespeare. In The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare uses foreshadowing to show the power of destiny between Romeo and Juliet, the star-crossed lovers. Learning that Romeo and Juliet’s fate is in the stars introduces a major theme to the reader; the power of destiny. Throughout the play, there are intense senses and lines that foreshadow the fate of Romeo, Juliet, the Capulet’s, and the Montague’s.

In the prologue Shakespeare tells the readers, “A pair of star-cross’d lovers take their life” (Shakespeare, Act 1- prologue). This is telling the readers flat out the outcome of the two lovers. The word “star-cross’d” itself is foreshadowing the fate of Romeo and Juliet. Star-cross’d is an indication to lovers whose affection for each other is doomed to end in tragedy. It is also a reference to anyone who fights against their fate that is written in the starts (Yahoo).

Towards the beginning of the play Romeo is in love with Rosaline, who does not love him back. Benvolio, Romeos good...

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