The second type of fate deals with supernatural beings such as God, gods and goddesses and the stars. An example of this given in the text is Romeo’s premonition (Act 1: Scene 4) as he reluctantly joins the masquerade to Capulet’s masked ball. Romeo has a strong sensation of impending disaster that “blows us from ourselves” (line 105) and “some consequences, yet hanging in the stars” (line 108) which may lead to his death. Foreshadowing the consequences of attending the masked ball, he asks the forces of fate to help him. “Cut He that hath the steerage of my course, / Direct my sail” (line 113-114) he prays to the supernatural power.
Another passage in the text, which further supports the theme, is found near the play’s conclusion. Friar Lawrence reports to both households that he has begged Juliet to leave the vault and “bear this work of heaven with patience”(V.3.261) referring to Romeo’s suicidal death. The priestly statement explains the origin of the series of unfortunate events and its derivation from the supernatural being/s. The same principle goes with the Prince’s final rebuke to the families, “heaven finds means to kill your joys with love”(V.3.293). It is only through the sacrificial loss of Romeo and Juliet through their pure love that the families will learn to end the outrageous feud.
The third type of fate is created through action or event. Old Capulet’s decision to entrust the list of guests to one of his servants, Peter, to remind all the guest of the “old accustom’d feast” to be held that evening seems natural but it is the beginning of a chain of events that will bring Romeo and Juliet together. Peter who is illiterate seeks help in reading the names and Romeo is there to do just that.
Mercutio’s death in Romeo’s arms with the haunting curse “a plague o’ both your houses”(III.1.106) a curse soon to be carried out which effectively puts an end to the Friar’s plan to reunite simply the warring families again reinforces the idea of fate created through action or event.
Lastly is the horrible series of accidents which ruin Friar Lawrence’s seemingly well- intentioned plans, including the failure of Friar John to deliver the letter to Romeo (Act 5: Scene 2). All of these ill-fated events lead to the lovers’ untimely end.
Love is an overpowering force that supersedes all other values, loyalties and emotions. In the course of the play, the young lovers are driven to defy their entire social world. Romeo abandons his friends Mercutio and Benvolio after the masked ball in order to go to Juliet’s garden. The couples’ love turn out to be even more profound and real as young Juliet swears “Deny thy father and refuse thy name or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love/And I’ll no longer be a Capulet” (II.2.34). However instead of initiating optimistic results such as happiness and prosperity in the contrary it leads to negative proceedings such as conflict and death in the families and society.
Love comes in four forms in “Romeo and Juliet”. The first meeting with Romeo shows a stylised conventional view of love, courtly or petrarchan love. It is also known as unrequited love where the object of desire is unattainable, which in this case is Rosaline. The unrequited love that Romeo has towards Rosaline reflects how love is meant to be a painful matter.
Another approach to love is sexual love. It is love in which men regard women as sexual objects of possession. An example of this can be seen in as early as Act 1: Scene 1, where the Capulet servants Sampson and Gregory joke sexually about “women being the weaker vessels are thrust to the wall” (I.1.14). The sexual language of the characters and their use of puns add to the humour in the play.
A third expression of love can be seen in the relationship between Paris and Juliet. This is characterised by the dutifulness of affection that attends an arranged marriage.
The “true love” of Romeo and Juliet shines out against the other types of love. The lovers are isolated in their own world away from the law and order in society (hostility between a Capulet and a Montague) and religious values (living life to the fullest), which Shakespeare portrays through the sonnets that Romeo and Juliet share. The lexical choice of religiousness in the language that Romeo speaks of his relationship with Juliet describing himself as a “pilgrim” worshipping at a “shrine” and praying to “saint” Juliet describes the purity and depth of their love
The society in “Romeo and Juliet” is very different from our present day society. In “Romeo and Juliet” society is divided between two noble families the Capulets and the Montagues. The enmity between these families has grown to such a height that it extended to the remotest kindred and to the followers and retainers of both sides, insomuch that an encounter between servants from both houses ended with fierce words if not bloodshed ensued. To promote social order in chaotic Verona the Prince an allegorical figure of authority and law and order has warned to kill anyone who starts another conflict.
The Patriarchal power structure reigns over the families. Wives, sons and daughters all have to submit to the father’s authority. They have no say but are forced to obey his orders. If they don’t do so they are threatened or even punished as in Juliet’s case for instance. Her father has arranged her marriage with the noble gentleman Paris whom she refuses to marry and therefore receives harsh chastise and threats. “Fettle your fine joints ’gainst Thursday next, to go with Paris to saint Peter’s Church or I will drag thee on a hurdle thither” (III.5.153) he threatens Juliet in addition to calling her rude names.
Christianity at its peak, people are raised in a Christian background practicing its traditions and beliefs. Children are baptized as soon as they are born, marriages are performed and funerals conducted by the licensed clergy in accordance with the Church’s rites and ceremonies and regular attendance to divine service is compulsory. Romeo and Juliet however are an exceptional. Their romance replaces their religious standings that they attempt suicide so that they can die in each other’s arms.
In summary love, fate and society are the three major themes explored in the literary work of “Romeo and Juliet” and they contribute greatly in its linguistic and literarily features.
