William Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

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William Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

Shakespeare's most famous tragedy is probably the tale of "Romeo and

Juliet". The immortal tale of two 'star-cross'd lovers' destined to an

early demise, originated in Italian folklore.

Shakespeare's prologue is possibly the most insightful piece of the

play regarding their death and the explanation of it. The "ancient

grudge" immediately sets the ominous tone of the play. This allows the

audience to understand that their "death" is the only way their

"parents strife" could end:

"But their children end nought could remove".

The recurring theme of fate and destiny, which frequents many

Shakespeare's plays, is seen also in the prologue. Shakespeare

introduces Romeo and Juliet through the prologue as "star cross'd

lovers" implying they are ill fated. The description of their love as

"death marked" assures the reader of the plays tragic genre and the

inevitability of their deaths.

The prologue informs the audience of the "ancient grudge" between the

Montague's and Capulet's and prepares them for the eventual bloodshed.

Although we never learn why there was a "grudge" it seemed to have

become a habit for the families to hate one another. Romeo and Juliet

suppress their love in order to keep it from their families, this is

all due to the 'ancient grudge'. Shakespeare suggests that without the

feud, Romeo and Juliet would not have had such a tragic demise:

'Two households, both alike in dignity'.

Without the feuds existence, Romeo and Juliet wouldn't have to "bury

their parents strife". The feud acts, as the most of fateful reasons

behind their tragic deaths, the reason Juliet wa...

... middle of paper ...

...ey were 'death marked' so the other

factors which feature in their death only happened because it was

fated. If Romeo and Juliet had spoken to their parent's about their

love for one another their fate would still end in death to re-unite

their 'households'. Also if the friar's plan were successful their

fate would still be to die at the 'bottom of a tomb' because of

Juliet's premonitions.

Fate in the play was how the 'grudge', premonition's, Friar's plan and

parents all contributed to their death. Without them destined to die

they could have avoided their death but because it was 'death-marked',

meaning it was out of anyone's control. Shakespeare wrote in the

prologue the reason for their death was fated, and their death was

destined to 'bury their parents strife'. The main reason for their

death was their fate.

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