Does Shakespeare show Romeo and Juliet as victims of fate?
From the outset of the play the chorus calls Romeo and Juliet "star-crossed lovers" and the frequent use 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 lover’s death.
Even though Romeo and Juliet were helpless victims of fate, they were also agents of fate. This is shown after Romeo kills Tybalt he reacts by saying: "O I am fortunes fool" yet it is due to Romeo's rational nature that led to this problem, Romeo shows his 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 pity 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 main people helping them to lead 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. This is shown 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 counsels are to himself." The powerful nature of Romeo and Juliet's love is also a prime factor that leads to the tragedy. This is shown 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 an intense passion that love goes before all other values. Romeo and Juliet are driven to go against 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 when he marries Romeo and Juliet. When Friar is running to the Capulet tomb, he does not take his own advice: "wisely and slow, they stumble that run fast." Fear is also responsible for this tragedy. This is shown when Friar Lawrence leaves the tomb giving Juliet the opportunity to kill herself. The nurse also betrays Juliet because she is afraid of being involved in the marriage between Romeo and Juliet.
