Romeo and Juliet are referred to as "star-cross'd lovers". Discuss the concept of predetermined destiny (fate) and how it relates to the play.
Analytical Essay on Romeo and JulietBy Humaira Ansari 9A Topic: Romeo and Juliet are referred to as “star-cross’d lovers”. Discuss the concept of predetermined destiny (fate) and how it relates to the play. Some people may not believe that fate is something that truthfully exists in the world. Others, however, believe that every event is predestined and laid out before them like a roadmap to life; in other words, fate. William Shakespeare's play, Romeo and Juliet portrays fate as an exceptionally crucial force. Fate seemed to control their lives and force them together, becoming a great influence on their love, and the ending of their parent's hatred. A large part of the
beliefs for both Romeo and Juliet involve fate. They believe in the stars, and that their actions aren’t always their own. Romeo, for example, says, "Some consequence yet hanging in the stars...by some vile forfeit of untimely death/But he that hath the steerage over my course Direct my sail" (1.iv.115-120). He's saying to his friends that he had a dream which leads him to believe that he will die young because of something in the stars, something that will happen. The words "...he that hath steerage over my course..." implies that he does not have control over his life if ...
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beliefs for both Romeo and Juliet involve fate. They believe in the stars, and that their actions aren’t always their own. Romeo, for example, says, "Some consequence yet hanging in the stars...by some vile forfeit of untimely death/But he that hath the steerage over my course Direct my sail" (1.iv.115-120). He's saying to his friends that he had a dream which leads him to believe that he will die young because of something in the stars, something that will happen. The words "...he that hath steerage over my course..." implies that he does not have control over his life if he looks to another power above himself to direct him. He does not feel that he is the one who makes decisions; it is all a higher purpose, a different power. He refers to the power of fate. Fate sets up their love from the beginning. It is not merely a coincidence that Romeo and Juliet meet An illiterate servant of the Capulet's comes across Romeo and Benvolio in the first act, unaware that they are Montagues, and informs them about the 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,ii,86-88). What were the chances of the servant to run into the Capulet’s most loathed enemy? It is by fate that Romeo and Benvolio discover the party. This sets everything up for the two lovers. They meet at the party, instantly falling in love. They realize later their identity, but they are in love and won't let their names get in the way of that strong emotional bind. Romeo and Juliet throughout the play have dreams of their death, visions of fate. In Juliet’s dream she says, "Methinks I see thee, now thou art so low, as one dead in the bottom of a tomb" (III.v.55). She sees Romeo dead in a tomb, which is where he eventually ends up, beside her. This why she talks about Romeo being so low in a tomb, he's dead, and she has foreseen it, before it has even happened. How could she have seen the future if it wasn't already decided for her? It is also a result of fate that Friar Lawrence's plan eventually leads to Romeo and Juliet's demise. For example, instead of knowing about what the friar has in mind, Romeo is informed by Balthasar about Juliet's "death": "Her body sleeps in Capel's monument, / And her immortal part with angels lives" (V.i.19-20). Though it seems like an honest accident that Balthasar is the one to tell Romeo about the turn of events, it is more likely that fate holds a much greater influence. By fate, Balthasar comes to Romeo and tells him what he believes to be true, but the piece of information he offers is a cause of the tragedy. The flaws in the friar's plan leaves Romeo a desire to die, which leads Juliet and Romeo to their destiny: death. Fate is clearly the most dominant force in the play. Fate brings Romeo and Juliet together, and sets up their love. However fate can only take us so far, the rest is up to ourselves. In the end, it was their own actions that brought upon their deaths. As said by William Shakespeare "It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves."