Describe how William Shakespeare makes fate the main theme of Romeo and Juliet
The tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, written by the ever-famous William Shakespeare, is an eloquent story of passionate love between two teenage individuals of a time long ago. These individuals, Romeo and Juliet, fall helplessly in love with each other, in spite of the fact that their families, both upper class, have been enemies for generations. The two lovers therefore strive to maintain their ardent bond with each other in secret. They also encounter various obstacles along the way and suffer serious consequences, such as Romeo's banishment to Mantua and the obligatory marriage of Juliet to Paris. In efforts to overcome such hindrances to their love, Juliet feigns her death as planned. However, as a result of miscommunication, Romeo takes the news seriously, and thus, being propelled by zealous devotion, both use death as the key to unity. A variety of themes are implicated throughout the play. Fate, in particular, is well demonstrated. By using the motif of stars and characters such as Friar Lawrence, Juliet, and Romeo, Shakespeare truly and masterfully conveys that fate is the inevitable, unalterable and omnipotent force that controls all actions unto their
consequences. Throughout the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare constantly utilizes the motif of stars to convey and develop the prominent theme of fate. Even as early as the prologue, the words, "A pair of star-crossed lovers..." reveal Shakespeare's intent in conveying the association of fate with this motif. Like stars, fate exists in the heavens. Both are untouchable and unalterable, and as seen in this line, it is inevitable fate from which the two lovers, Romeo and Juliet, cannot escape. Romeo gives a sign of fate's presence through his quote, "I fear too early, for my mind misgives / ...
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consequences. Throughout the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare constantly utilizes the motif of stars to convey and develop the prominent theme of fate. Even as early as the prologue, the words, "A pair of star-crossed lovers..." reveal Shakespeare's intent in conveying the association of fate with this motif. Like stars, fate exists in the heavens. Both are untouchable and unalterable, and as seen in this line, it is inevitable fate from which the two lovers, Romeo and Juliet, cannot escape. Romeo gives a sign of fate's presence through his quote, "I fear too early, for my mind misgives / some consequence yet hanging in the stars / shall bitterly begin his fearful date". Romeo, for the first time, senses his portentous fate and perceives it as perpetually "hanging in the stars." This supports the fact that, like stars, fate emanates from the heavenly realm and is indelibly etched into time. Through later events such as Romeo's banishment, Romeo becomes convinced that fate is against him and that it wants to keep him apart from his love, Juliet. Consequently, upon hearing of Juliet's "death," Romeo utters, "...-Then I defy you, stars-!” revealing his attempt to challenge fate. This quote also reveals the metaphorical similarity between fate and its vehicle, stars, in that both supremely control from the heavens. In addition, Romeo states immediately before his death,"O, here / Will I set up my everlasting rest / and shake the yoke of inauspicious stars / from this world-wearied flesh!...” Again, "fate" is replaced with "stars" to strengthen the meaning of fate and create a mental image of it, as well. Truly, Shakespeare cleverly reinforces the theme of fate through the motif of stars. As the motif of stars represents the theme of fate, so does the character of Friar Lawrence. The friar soon begins to recognize the haplessness of the situation, finding ways to work around fate. He states, "...Fear comes upon me. / O, much I fear some ill unthrifty thing" revealing his sentience of fate and the consequences it has inevitably brought about. Finally, after all such consequences have taken place, Friar Lawrence yields to almighty fate by admitting, "A greater power than we can contradict / Hath thwarted our intents...” Truly, fate proves to be a supreme and omnipotent power, which no one can overcome. Shakespeare certainly uses the character of Friar Lawrence to illustrate the significance of the theme of fate. The character of Juliet, like Friar Lawrence, also helps develop the theme of fate. Throughout the tragedy, Juliet insinuates fate's presence. Juliet says, "O, God, I have an ill-divining soul! / Methinks I see thee... / as one dead...” foreshadowing that fate will inevitably take its toll. At one point, she asks that fate have pity on her by questioning, "Is there no pity sitting in the clouds / that sees into the bottom of my grief?” This indirectly conveys that fate is of the heavens and that Juliet trusts in this heavenly power to ameliorate her situation. Juliet even more significantly conveys her belief and reliance on fate by calling, "O, Fortune, Fortune, all men call thee fickle... / ...Be fickle, Fortune, / ...[And] send him back". Juliet believes that if fortune is variable, it should continue to be, by allowing Romeo to be with her once again. The quote most importantly shows how much Juliet depends and trusts in the existence of fate. Again, Shakespeare wisely manipulates the words of his characters to reveal and enforce the theme of fate. Even more significant in reinforcing the theme of fate is the character of Romeo. Throughout the play, Romeo continually reflects his belief in fate's existence. He demonstrates this by stating, "This day's black fate on more days doth depend". Romeo certainly trusts that fate exists and that his actions are controlled entirely by it. The same is manifested in his last words, "Thou desperate pilot, now at once run on / the dashing rocks thy seasick weary bark!” Again, Romeo conveys his helplessness to the almighty power of fate by cleverly personifying fate as his guiding pilot. In addition, Romeo considers himself and others "...writ in sour misfortune's book!” Romeo believes that fate has predetermined his unfavourable destiny (as having been written in the perpetual book of misfortune). Shakespeare admirably and cleverly utilizes Romeo to develop and convey the substantial theme of fate. Shakespeare ingeniously expresses his view of fate through this renowned literary work, Romeo and Juliet. He conveys that fate exists as the inevitable, unalterable, and omnipotent force that predetermines one's actions, consequences, and thereby one's destiny. The play also implies that no one is exempt from fate's power and that all lives and all destinies are determined by it, alone. In addition, Shakespeare wisely chooses the motif of stars to reinforce his theme of fate. Containing a rich variety of themes and motifs, Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet undoubtedly stands out as a brilliant work in the history of literature.
