The Power Of Fate In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

Fate is a hidden but unavoidable force that leads to certain consequences in people’s lives, the theme of fate plays a crucial role in the main characters off the play, Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare. Romeo and Juliet share a destiny that dooms them to tragic deaths immediately after the exchange of their love. Despite their resolute attempts to change their destiny, the lovers still succumb to the relentless power of fate. In the Shakespearean play, Romeo and Juliet, the principle of fate propels the lovers together with infatuation tears them apart through a bitter period, yet ensures peace in Verona for many future generation. To start, Romeo and Juliet are united by the work of fate. Fate creates a powerful effect throughout the

As Romeo and his cousin, Benvolio, stroll down a street near the Capulet’s house (I. ii), an illiterate servant with a list of invitees to the Capulet’s party approaches Romeo asking, “I pray, sir, can you read?” (I. ii. l. 57). These few seemingly unimportant words help set off fate’s spiraling journey. Unaware that by reading the list his life will dramatically change, Romeo reads the list, and the thankful servant invites him to the gathering. Romeo attends the gathering to see Rosaline. Romeo is still depressed over Rosaline; Benvolio tells him to keep an eye open for other women at the Capulet ball. As Benvolio says, “By giving liberty unto thine eyes, examine other beauties.” Romeo takes Benvolio’s advice and by chance, Romeo meets Juliet and completely forgets about Rosaline. The two were fated to meet! Romeo and Juliet fall in love without knowing each other’s identity. “my love sprung from my only hate….. that I must love a loathed enemy” Juliet is referring to her falling in love with Romeo too soon before she knew who he was and that they should be enemies. Juliet figures out she fell in love with the only son of the Montague house hold. No matter how much Romeo and Juliet try their best to fix the hate between their families it does not work. They were not able to change their

One of the major reasons to Romeo and Juliet’s death was Paris who wanted to get married to Juliet and she did not want to. Paris goes to Lord Capulet and asks for Juliet hand in marriage (once again) and Lord Capulet finally agrees. As Lord Capulet says, “Sir Paris, I will make a desperate tender of my child’s love.” He feels that Tybalt’s death is the reason for Juliet’s sorrows and thinks that getting her married will fix it. This was fated to happen because Romeo killed Tybalt and was thus banished causing the confusion for Juliet’s sorrows. Lord Capulet moved up the wedding date a day early to Wednesday. As Lord Capulet says, “I’ll have this knot knit up by to-morrow morning.” Juliet was forced to take the potion a night early to make herself seem like she is dead so she wouldn’t get married to Paris then run away with Romeo. Romeo could not be given news of the plan (since Friar John was locked up in a plague-suspected house). Friar Laurence’s final plan was fated to go wrong the moment the decision to change the wedding date was made. Throughout the play there were many themes in which were included; fate vs free will, arrange marriage vs love marriage and parent’s vs children. But these categories fall under fate it was Romeo and Juliet’s fate to go through all these tragic scenes. Romeo and Juliet see omens throughout the play, continually reminding the audience of their fate. Their death is a