The historic feud between the two rival families is one factor that certainly contributed to Romeo and Juliet’s love being fated for destruction. The feud would forever prevent Romeo and Juliet’s relationship being normal and open, as a result of the deep hatred between the two families the marriage would have to remain a secret. Romeo and Juliet had no free will in choosing the circumstances of their relationship; Romeo and Juliet did not choose their families. Neither chose to live in a house that hated another so passionately.
Both Romeo and Juliet knew that their marriage had to stay secret. Romeo and Juliet understood how miserable their parents would make their lives; this secrecy meant the couple had to turn to other people for advice, help and guidance. Juliet turned to the Nurse. The Nurse gives bad advice to Juliet; despite being a friend the Nurse probably does not have Juliet’s best interests at heart. She is employed by the Capulet house and does not want to do something that could upset Capulet and Lady Capulet. The Nurse shows this when she advises Juliet to marry Paris, the Nurse looks out for her best interests. She leaves Juliet alone and to some degree betrays her.
Above all else in the play it was fate that destroyed Romeo and Juliet. It is stated from the start of the play that the love of Romeo and Juliet will end in death “A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life”. From the beginning its obvious that Romeo and Juliet’s relationship is headed for disaster, it is clear that they are destined by the stars for bad fortune. Though it is as a result of their bad fortunes that the long running dispute between the two families in Verona ends.
It is made clear to the audience that the two lovers relationship will end tragically in the prologue, “The fearful passage of their death-marked love” This quote and additionally the “star-crossed lovers” quote prove that Romeo and Juliet’s love was destined to end tragically.
The scene where Juliet fell in love with Romeo was also a result of fate. The fact that Romeo was wearing a mask and his face was hidden allowed Juliet to fall in love with Romeo. Juliet wouldn’t have fell in love with Romeo if she knew his true identity. If Romeo and Juliet’s first place of meeting was as a result of fate and if they fell in love with each other because of fate surely their relationship is based entirely on fate.
If Romeo and Juliet’s families had not been embroiled in such a bitter feud and if the Nurse had not betrayed Juliet then the ending of the play would have been very different. Fate is something that is predetermined – it cannot be controlled, changed or stopped. Romeo and Juliet were no doubt victims of fate. Juliet’s father’s decision to move the wedding between Juliet and Paris to Wednesday instead of Thursday meant Romeo did not have enough time to get back to Verona and rescue Juliet from her tomb. Romeo and Juliet had no control over this and could not change or alter this event; they suffered bad luck and bad fortunes. The stars were against their relationship and they could do nothing to change that. Shakespeare strongly implies that Romeo and Juliet suffered bad fortunes, one quote proves this point very well summarising the tragedy of the play, “For never was a story of more woe, Than this of Juliet and her Romeo” (Act 5 Scene 3 Lines 309-310)
