Romeo and Juliet 'the star-crossed lovers' are doomed from the start, not by fate but by their own personalities and the people that surround them, discuss.

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Romeo and Juliet ‘the star-crossed lovers’ are doomed from the start, not by fate but by their own personalities and the people that surround them, discuss,

Laura Meszaros 10SCA

        Within the play of Romeo and Juliet fate is very important and is often mentioned. The events that lead up to the deaths of the couple could either be seen as bad luck or a direct result of Romeo and Juliet’s own personalities and actions.

        The prologue tells us the story in advance, allowing us to overview the actions of the couple. We know from this prologue that Romeo and Juliet are spoken of as ‘star-crossed’ and that fate is supposedly against them. The prologue tells us that the deaths of the ‘star-crossed lovers’ is the only way to end their ‘parents rage.’ In this essay I am going to discuss the references to fate within the play and to what extent fate, Romeo and Juliet’s own personalities and actions and the actions and personalities of different people around them are responsible for the lover’s tragic end.

        The first reference to fate is made even before the play really begins, when the chorus tells us, ‘from forth the fatal loins of these two foes a pair of star-crossed lovers take their life’ This implication suggesting that even before the play has begun it is fate driven, the chorus also tells us that ‘lovers take their life’ here Shakespeare is telling us the ending before the beginning.

        Romeo himself refers to fate when he is about to enter the Capulet’s party, (act 1, scene 4) he says; ‘I dreamt a dream tonight’ here Romeo uses premonition. He is almost telling the reader that something bad may happen and predicting his own death. Later in the scene Romeo expresses a sense of doom for he ‘fears too early….some consequences yet hanging in the stars’ shall bitterly lead to his death.

        The next reference to fate is when Romeo and Juliet re-meet at night, in the Capulet garden. In this scene (act 2, scene 2) Romeo says ‘by love, that first did prompt me to inquire, he lent me..’ here we get the impression that fate is on the couples side. Romeo is suggesting to Juliet that love had sent him to her this is not only fate, but adds to Romeos romance in wooing Juliet. This is an important reference to fate, for Romeo later feels that fate is against him and that he is ‘fortunes fool.’

        As the couple confess directly their love for one another Juliet speaks of her only problem, that Romeo is a Montague, ‘tis but thy name that is my enemy; thou art not a Montague…O, be some other name,’

Juliet then panic’s for her lovers safety ‘if they do see thee they will murder thee,’ Romeo tries to calm his lover, in a romantic way by telling her that he would rather be killed than live with out her, for his love for her is so great. ‘But thou love me, let them find me here. My life were better ended by their hate, than death prorogued, wanting of thy love.’ Little did Romeo know that he again was predicting his own fate, for he will die for Juliet.

        Later in this act another reference to fate is used by Romeos two best friends, Benvolio and Mercutio. As the pair look for Romeo after their night at the party they discuss a letter sent to Romeo that morning. Benvolio tells Mercutio that ‘Tybalt, the kinsman of old Capulet, hath sent a letter to his fathers house,’ they talk of how Romeo will respond, Benvolio then says that Romeo will ‘answer it,’ meaning that he will agree to fight. Mercutio then comments that Romeo is already dead, ‘alas, poor Romeo, he is already dead! Stabbed with a white wench’s black eye; run through the ear with a love song,’ here Mercutio is expressing that he thinks Romeo is ‘killed by love.’ Although this was supposed to be a harmless joke, we unfortunately know it will come true, this implying fate.

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The following reference to fate is made when Romeo and Juliet are preparing to marry in Friar’s cell. This should be a joyful time for the couple but many lines refer to the lovers’ tragic destiny. The Friar expresses his misgivings about the suddenness of Romeo’s decision to marry Juliet. The Friar expresses his concern of their love as, ‘violent delights’, which have ‘violent ends.’ The Friar hopes that sorrow will not follow Romeo and Juliet’s wedding, ‘and in their triumph die, like fire and powder which as they kiss consume.’ Although the Friar is unaware, he was predicting ...

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