Fate’s Ultimate Power Inevitable events occur during the predestined course of life. Everyone makes choices out of their own free will, but these choices ultimately lead to their predetermined fate. In William Shakespeare's play, The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, he utilizes fate as a critical force in creating the sense of tension that hangs in the atmosphere of the play. From the start of the encounter with Romeo and Juliet, to the beginning of uncovering identities, and finally to the agonizing failure of the Friar Lawrence's plan, fate creates Romeo and Juliet's tragic demise by interfering in what may have destined to become incredible true love. In the beginning, the acquaintance of Romeo and Juliet lead to no mere coincidence. A Capulet servant comes across Romeo and Benvolio to acquire some help. The unaware servant informs the young friendly foes of a Capulet party. "My master is the great rich Capulet; and if you be not of the house of Montagues, I pray come and crush a cup of wine" (1.2.85-88). By fate, the Capulet's servant encounters Romeo and Benvolio and later advises the two “unknown
strangers” about a Capulet party. Since destined to meet Juliet, Romeo becomes closer with his acquaintance of his true love. However, the fate of meeting one other leads them a step closer to their tragic end. Furthermore, the true love of Romeo and Juliet becomes controlled devilishly by fate. As Romeo watches the dancers at the party he notices Juliet. From the moment they set their eyes upon each other, they instantly fall in love. "What lady's that, which doth enrich the hand of yonder knight" (1.5.46-47). Inevitably, out of the many beautiful women at the party, Romeo spotted Juliet. ...
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strangers” about a Capulet party. Since destined to meet Juliet, Romeo becomes closer with his acquaintance of his true love. However, the fate of meeting one other leads them a step closer to their tragic end. Furthermore, the true love of Romeo and Juliet becomes controlled devilishly by fate. As Romeo watches the dancers at the party he notices Juliet. From the moment they set their eyes upon each other, they instantly fall in love. "What lady's that, which doth enrich the hand of yonder knight" (1.5.46-47). Inevitably, out of the many beautiful women at the party, Romeo spotted Juliet. Fate maneuvers this situation by exerting Juliet’s beauty in creating Romeo’s intensity of their relationship which creates everything to move in such a fast pace. By the end, everything happens so quickly that the characters barely have time to react. Matters careen out of control and eventually lead to their tragedy. The interference of fate between their true love becomes the most powerful force deciding their future. . Though Romeo and Juliet came from the offspring of two different families who held a grudge over since antiquity, fate seems to keep them together to the very end. Romeo discovers the identity of Juliet who represented a Capulet. "O dear account! My life is my foe's debt" (1.5.132). At the party, Romeo wears a mask on his face allowing Juliet to fall in love with him before she uncovered his true identity. If Juliet recognized that Romeo had become her nemesis, she should have not fallen in love with him. Despite the fact that there families despise each other, fate created Romeo and Juliet to love one another. Romeo and Juliet happened to fall in love during their parents’ terrible strife. However, fate specifically administered tension of the lovers’ relationship which led to their life to end in such tragedy. Moreover, Romeo came to Friar Lawrence to help him marry with Juliet. “For this alliance may so happy prove to turn your households’ rancor to pure love” (2.3.99-100). Friar Lawrence uncovers that Romeo desires to marry with Juliet, a Capulet. Believing that this may create peace between the clashing households, the Friar decides to wed the love struck couple. Fate creates the two to thrive more strongly in order to stay together, which could signify Romeo’s hasty actions that lead him to his tragic end. Unfortunately, fate had taken control of these two couple's futures. In addition, fate created flaws in Friar Lawrence's plan which evidently leads to Romeo and Juliet's utmost and dire demise. The Friar planned a fake death for Juliet by drinking a potion created by him. After, she would awake with Romeo by her side. Then they would escape to Mantua together. Friar Lawrence's plan failed because Friar John had unable to deliver the message of Juliet's fake "death" to Romeo. "I could not send it -here it is again- nor get a message to bring it to thee, so fearful were they of infection" (5.2.14-16). Friar Lawrence's message became a crucial point to the plan he devises. Because of the fact that the message had never arrived to Romeo, it creates a major rupture that can turn out very terribly. Friar’s message tried to fight fate however, when the fear of having the Black Plague had occurred to Friar John, the timing doesn’t work accordingly to the to the Friar’s favor. Romeo not knowing that Juliet isn't officially dead makes a big mistake that leads him and Juliet toward impeding doom. Also, instead of apprehending what the Friar had in mind, Romeo races to Verona after hearing the terrible news about Juliet's "death" from Balthasar. "Her body sleeps in Capel's monument, and her immortal part with angels lives" (5.1.19-20). By fate, Balthasar has gone to check on Juliet when she "died". He could have preferably gone a day sooner, and then this tragic incident would never have occurred. The Friar also could have advised Romeo first about his plan ahead of time. The fate put over the Friar's plan leaves Romeo with a desire to die, which destines Juliet and Romeo to their conclusive fate: death. In conclusion, from the very beginning, the love of Romeo and Juliet has destined to become destroyed. Romeo and Juliet, predestined to meet, love, and die together, fate can clearly become the dominating force. The circumstances throughout the course of their lives lead up to their deaths. If Romeo and Juliet never met each other, if the Capulets and the Montagues hadn't become two clashing households, or lead to a terrible failure of the Friar's plan, the outcome of this tragic story could have changed. However, no matter how much it changes, no matter what one does to counter his fate, one will always face his destiny. Romeo and Juliet tempted their own fate by falling drastically in love with a complete unknown stranger, and their decision to tread down a path to stay together formed and followed. If fate can bring such lovers together by chance, fate can also end such love quickly by their heartbreaking deaths. "For never was there story of more woe, than this of Juliet and Romeo" (5.3.334-335).
