The theme of fate in Romeo and Juliet Essays -

The theme of fate in Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet - Fate From the outset of the play the chorus calls Romeo and Juliet "star-crossed lovers" and the frequent foreshadowing of fate creates the sense that destiny shall claim superiority. All events surrounding the lovers such as: the feud between the two families, the horrible series of accidents that ruin Friar's well-intentioned plans, the tragic timing of Romeo's suicide and Juliet's awakening all work in the hands of fate. These events also contribute to the outcome of the young lovers death. Even though Romeo and Juliet were helpless victims of fate, they were also agents of fate. This is evident after Romeo kills Tybalt he reacts by saying: "O I am fortunes fool" yet it is due to Romeo's impetuous nature that led to this calamity. Again, Romeo exhibits this weakness before going to the Capulet feast he says: "Some consequence yet hanging in the stars, Shall bitterly begin this fearful date...by some vile forfeit of untimely death..." We see Juliet's acceptance to the fact that the heavens are against Romeo and Juliet's relationship when Capulet forces her to marry Paris, she says: "Is there no piety sitting in the clouds that sees into the bottom of my grief?" This is also evident when the nurse betrays Juliet, she cries: "Alack...heaven practice stratagems upon so soft a subject as myself." The generation gap between Romeo and Juliet and their parents is one of the chief functions leading to the tragedy. This is observed when Juliet refuses to marry Paris, Capulet insults her by calling her "green sickness carrion!" Romeo and Juliet could not confide in their parents about their love. We see this in the opening of the play, Montague finds it difficult to understand Romeo and he tells Benvolio: "both by myself and many other friends. His own affections counsel are to himself." The powerful nature of Romeo and Juliet's love is also a prime factor that leads to the tragedy. This is evident at the feast when Tybalt sees Romeo, he is determined to kill him as Romeo sees Juliet and instantly falls in love with her. From this point in the play love and violence parallel each other. Romeo and Juliet's love is of an intense passion that love supersedes all other values. Romeo and Juliet are driven to defy their families by this overpowering force. We are reminded of Juliet's words: "deny thy father and refuse thy name / And I'll no longer be a Capulet." even Friar Lawrence warns Romeo against his immoderate love: "these violent delights have violent ends. Love moderately." Romeo and Juliet's extreme and boundless love was of such a great nature that it could only be preserved by death. Hastiness is also the main contributor to this tragedy. From the first moment that Romeo and Juliet meet they act hastily, they do not take the time to get to know one another but rush into their relationship. They are too hasty to get married, they did not think about what could go wrong. Juliet realizes this when Romeo declares his love to her, she says: "It is too rash, too unadvised, too like lightening." Friar Lawrence is guilty of hastiness even though he resembles forces of reason and moderation when he marries Romeo and Juliet. When Friar is running to the Capulet tomb, he does not heed his own advice: "wisely and slow, they stumble that run fast." Fear is also responsible for this tragedy. This is illustrated when Friar Lawrence leaves the tomb giving Juliet the opportunity to kill herself. The nurse also betrays Juliet because she is afraid of being implicated in the marriage between Romeo and Juliet. The lack of communication between Romeo and Juliet and their parents is the reason that they cannot confide in their parents and thus turn to Friar Lawrence. Romeo and Juliet's relationship had to be a secret; they had to resort to subterfuge in order to meet due to their family feud. When Romeo is banished from Verona, this creates greater problems of communication between the lovers. It was due to the letter that remained undelivered that Romeo believes that Juliet is dead.